Stability of chlorophenols and their acetylated derivatives in water: sample storage procedures

The determination of chlorophenols (CPs) in water samples is a subject of increasing interest. Reduction of sample storage space and the stability of CPs when present at very low levels are still problems that deserve research. The stability of CPs at ng/L levels at different temperatures and in the presence or absence of sodium carbonate and acetic anhydride was studied for up to 39 days. Stable and reproducible CP concentrations for about a month of storage in both river and wastewater were achieved in two storage conditions as follows: at -18 degrees C with addition of 10% sodium chloride; and at 4 degrees C with addition of both 10% sodium chloride and 10 mglmL sodium carbonate. These sample treatments are good alternatives to the immobilization of CPs on SPE cartridges in terms of both analyte stability and saving of storage space.