Volatilization

Volatilizationof a chemical from the surface of a liquid is a partitioning process by which the chemical distributes itself between the liquid phase and the gas above it. Organic chemicals said to be volatileexhibit the greatest tendency to cross the liquid–gas interface. When compounds volatilize, the concentration of the organic analyte in the solution is reduced.

Semivolatile andnonvolatile(or involatile) describe chemicals having, respectively, less of a tendency to escape the liquid they are dissolved in and pass into the atmosphere above the liquid.

As discussed in this book, certain sample preparation techniques are clearly more appropriate for volatile compounds than for semivolatile and nonvolatile compounds. In this chapter we concentrate on extraction methods for semivolatile organics from liquids.