Monitoring the sonochemical degradation of phthalate esters in water using solid phase microextractionMonitoring the sonochemical degradation of phthalate esters in water using solid phase microextraction Peer-Reviewed Journal Publication Δημοσίευση σε Περιοδικό με Κριτές 2015-09-242004enThe sonochemical degradation of aqueous solutions containing low concentrations of six phthalate esters at an ultrasonic frequency of 80 kHz has been investigated. Ultrasonic treatment was found capable of removing the four higher molecular mass phthalates (di-n-butyl phthalate, butylbenzyl phthalate, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and di-noctyl phthalate) within 30–60 min of irradiation. The rest (dimethyl phthalate and diethyl phthalate) were more recalcitrant and nearly complete removal could be achieved only after prolonged irradiation times. The relative reactivity of phthalates was explained in terms of their hydrophobicity. Experiments were carried out at an overall initial phthalate concentration of 240 lg l1, values of electric power of 75 and 150 W, temperatures of 21 and 50 C and in the presence of NaCl to study the effect of various operating conditions on degradation. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with GC–MS proved to be a powerful analytical tool to monitor the sonochemical degradation of phthalate esters at low lg l1 concentration levels, minimising the risk of secondary contamination during sample preparation, a major parameter to consider during phthalates analysis. The advantages as well as disadvantages of using SPME are also highlighted.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Chemosphere547849-857Psillaki_et_al_Chem._54(7)_2004.pdfChania [Greece]Library of TUC2015-09-24application/pdf554.1 kBfree Psyllaki Eleftheria Ψυλλακη Ελευθερια Mantzavinos Dionysis Μαντζαβινος Διονυσης Kalogerakis Nikos Καλογερακης Νικος Elsevier SPME Phthalates Ultrasound Sonolysis Water samples