Determination of chlorophenols in marine sediments using reverse phase dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method coupled with high performance liquid chromatography

In this study, Reverse phase dispersive liquid–liquid micro extraction (RP-DLLME) method coupled with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) have been successfully developed for pre-concentrate of ultra-trace amounts of 2-chlorophenol and 2,4-dichlorophenpl from marine sediments after primary ultrasonic extraction. In this method, alkaline water was chosen as extraction solvent instead of organic solvent and other factors including pH, extraction time, type and volume of disperser solvents were optimized. Under optimal conditions, linear ranges for 2-chlorophenol and 2-4-dichlorophenol were between 0.001-2 mg.Kg-1 and 0.2-2 mg.Kg-1, respectively. The preconcentration factor of 101, 102 and the relative standard deviation (n=5) 5.9, 3.3 as well as limit of detection 0.01, 0.006 µg.kg-1 were obtained for 2-chlorophenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol, respectively. Finally, using the high sensitivity, low organic solvent consumption and waste generation procedure, 2-chlorophenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol contents in marine sediments from several locations in Chabahar Bay (southeast Iran) were estimated at 0.21-2.18 mg.Kg-1 and 0.68-2.55 mg.Kg-1, respectively.