Comparison of quarter-hourly on-line dynamic headspace analysis to purge-and-trap analysis of varying volatile organic compounds in drinking water sources.

On-line dynamic headspace analysis was refined for the quarter-hourly monitoring of select volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ground and surface waters, for extended periods of time. Hourly comparisons were made to on-line purge-and-trap analysis, and to purge-and-trap analysis after sample preservation and storage. Variations in VOC concentrations of 6047% biweekly, 222% daily, 97% hourly, and 35% quarter-hourly were observable, with the 15-min cycle of the dynamic headspace analysis. The headspace analyzer had superior retention time stability, required less maintenance, and had 1/4 the analysis time as a typical purge-and-trap-gas chromatograph system used for hourly comparisons.