Use of an automated on-line SPE–HPLC method to monitor caffeine and selected aniline and phenol compounds in aquatic systems of Macedonia–Thrace, Greece

Abstract

Caffeine and selected aniline and phenol compounds have been monitored in the river, lake, and ground water of Northern Greece (Macedonia–Thrace) from September 1999 to December 2000 by means of a fully automated on-line SPE–HPLC method. Among the target aniline and phenol compounds the most abundant was 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, which was found to be present in both surface and ground water samples. Caffeine was also very frequently present in river and ground water, although its presence in lake water was rare. Caffeine and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol were also monitored by off-line SPE of water samples and GC–ion-trap MS analysis of extracts.