Simultaneous distillation-extraction was proposed as a preconcentration step for the determination of phenol and its derivatives in aqueous and soil samples. Detection limits of 0.01 mg l(-1) (water) and 0.1 mg kg(-1) (soil) were achieved by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection. The described preconcentration procedure was applied for the primary study of the adsorption equilibrium in a water-soil system serving as a model of phenol behaviors in the environment.