This review discusses developments and future challenges in the automation of solidphase microextraction (SPME). The emphasis of the review is placed on automated SPME-GC using fibre and in-tube configurations, and includes discussion of recent developments that may have significant implications for automation such as superelastic fibre assemblies and internally cooled fibre-SPME. Existing methods used for automated SPME-LC are summarised together with a more detailed overview of recent developments such as using solvent desorption followed by syringe injection using a robotic system. Progress towards automation of other SPME configurations is also discussed.

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In this study, two methods are developed for the extraction of 1,4-dioxane (dioxane) from water using 80-microm carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane solid-phase microextraction fibers followed by either gas chromatography (GC)-flame ionization detection (FID) or GC-mass spectrometry (MS). With GC-FID, the lower limit of detection (LOD) for 1,4-dioxane is 2.5 microg/L (ppb) with a linear range of 5 to 10,000 microg/L, obtained by immersing the fiber in the sample for 20 min with agitation. Using GC-MS, the lower limit of quantitation is 0.5 microg/L, and the LOD is 0.25 microg/L. The upper linear range limit is 100 microg/L. Samples are extracted in 20 min using either heated headspace with agitation or direct immersion with agitation.