A rapid and efficient determination of natural estrogens in soils by pressurised liquid extraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

We present a new analytical procedure for the extraction and determination of natural estrogens in soils based on pressurised liquid extraction and GC–MS determination. After testing twelve solvents, acetone proved to be the most efficient extractant. The optimum extraction temperature is 60 °C. Soil extracts have to be purified and concentrated by C-18 solid phase extraction. The dried extracts are derivatised by N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoro-acetamide before measurement by GC–MS. Recoveries of 79–103% with relative standard deviations ⩽13% document reliability of this method. Further, rapidity of extraction and a low detection limit (1 ng kg−1) represent an improvement of estrogen analysis in soils compared to established procedures.