Confirmatory determination of organochlorine pesticides in surface waters using LC/APCI/tandem mass spectrometry⋄

A confirmatory method for the determination of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and their metabolites (endrin, α-endosulfan, β-endosulfan, endosulfan sulfate, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, 2,4′-DDD, 4,4′-DDD, 2,4′-DDE 4,4′-DDE, 2,4′-DDT, and 4,4′-DDT) in surface waters using liquid chromatography /APCI/tandem mass spectrometry has been developed. Chromatographic separation was carried out on a ChromSpher 5 Pesticide column using a gradient elution with mobile phase 1mM ammonium acetate-acetonitrile. Endrin, α-endosulfan, β-endosulfan , endosulfan sulfate, heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide were determined in the negative ionization mode, while the rest compounds in positive ionization mode. For the identification of the analytes, two multireaction monitoring transitions were selected per compounds except for the heptachlor which selected ion monitoring was used. The linearity of the optimized method ranges after SPE concentration, from 0.009 to 30.60 μgL⁻¹ with correlation coefficients greater than 0.99. The method recovery values varied from 72 to 119 % for the different fortification levels . The developed method was successfully applied to determine OCPs and their metabolites in surface water samples collected near paddy fields in growing season of rice, at year 2005 in Pathumthani province, Thailand. Endosulfan sulfate was detected in five out of seven samples and three of them could be quantitated in the range of 0.31to 0.50 μgL⁻¹.     

An SPME–GC–MS Method for Determination of Organochlorine Pesticide Residues in Medicinal Plant Infusions

A simple method, direct-immersion sampling by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (DI-SPME–GC–MS), has been developed for determination of organochlorine pesticides (OCP) in plant infusions. The optimum conditions for SPME with a 100-m PDMS-coated fiber were established by using a central composite design. The extraction time and sample temperature established were 60 min and 50 °C, respectively. The method was validated and used to determine hexachlorobenzene, lindane, 4,4-DDE, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, and 4,4-DDT in infusions of Mikania laevigata and Maytenus ilicifolia. Limits for quantitation for the OCP were between 0.2 and 2.0 ng g^–1 except for lindane, for which the LOQ was higher (12 ng g^–1), because of its low affinity for the PDMS fiber. Recovery was in the range 90 to 108% and the intra-assay precision was below 17%. Transfer of the OCP from the plant to the infusion was in the range 0.34 to 3.4% and was correlated with the solubility of each compound in water.     

Multiresidue-matrix solid-phase dispersion method for determining 16 organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in fish

Summary An effective, multiresidue-matrix, solid-phase dispersion — extraction (MSPD) and GC-MS method for the determination of 16 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), as well as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from the level chlorination in fish is described. The method uses an octadecylsilyl-derivatized silica and Florisil-based MSPD co-column for direct, on-line clean-up. Recoveries calculated from five different fortification levels are >85% in all cases for OCPs, except for heptachlor and 4,4-DDT where recoveries of 78% and 81% are ob-tained, and >95% for PCBs. Detection limits determined for the OCPs vary from 19.6–91.1 ng g^–1, and from 71.4–111.2 ng g^–1 for the two to five chlorine-containing PCBs. The method has been applied to the analysis of fish grown in Er-Jen river (Taiwan) and method may serve as a screening protocol for the determination of OCPs and PCBs in fish.     

Determination of organochlorine pesticides in sewage sludge by matrix solid-phase dispersion and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A method based on matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) has been developed for the determination of 16 organochlorine pesticides (OCs) in sludge from municipal sewage plants. Samples of lyophilized sludge were blended with alumina, placed in small columns and OCs extracted with dichloromethane assisted by sonication. Purification of the extracts was accomplished by solid-phase extraction on C₁₈ columns and OCs were eluted with acetonitrile. Analyses were performed by gas chromatography with electron impact mass spectrometric detection in the selected ion monitoring mode (GC–MS-SIM) using deuterated OCs as internal standards. The limits of detection were between 0.03 ng/g for 4,4′-DDE and 0.7 ng/g for endrin aldehyde.

Levels of OCs were determined in sewage sludge collected from 19 water treatment plants located in the province of Madrid (Spain). In all of the analyzed samples, aldrin was the compound most often found with a mean concentration of 76 ng/g. Endosulfan-I, -BHC, 4,4′-DDE and 4,4′-DDT were also present at high concentrations, with average values ranging from 32.3 to 74.3 ng/g. OCs were detected in all of the samples, with a total concentration ranging from 52 to 528 ng/g dry weight.     

Occurrence of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in soils and sediments from Eastern Romania

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), such as DDT and analogues, hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), were measured in surface soils and sediments from Eastern Romania. Thirty-nine soil samples from the forested zone, eight soil samples from a municipal waste-disposal site, and 10 sediment samples from the Bahlui River along the Iassy city were analysed using accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) and gas chromatography coupled to electron capture detection or mass spectrometry. The low mean concentrations of OCPs (11–31 and 22–84?ng?g^?1 for HCHs and DDTs, respectively) and PCBs (8–43?ng?g^?1) in soil samples from the forested zone suggest that contamination at most of these sites occurred predominantly through atmospheric transport from zones where these compounds were used and subsequently through atmospheric deposition. Contrarily, soil samples collected in the vicinity of a waste-disposal site near Iassy contained higher mean levels of PCBs (278?ng?g^?1, range 34–1132?ng?g^?1) than OCPs (6 and 101?ng?g^?1 of soil for HCHs and DDTs, respectively). The sediment samples collected along the Bahlui river throughout the Iassy city revealed higher mean levels of PCBs (59?ng?g^?1, range 24–158?ng?g^?1) compared with OCP levels (2 and 37?ng?g^?1 of soil for HCHs and DDTs, respectively). Furthermore, PCB profiles and concentrations in the sediment samples varied considerably along the river due to a wide variety of sources, such as different industries and waste sites. Although their sources are difficult to evaluate, the presence of POPs at most sites (especially at the waste-disposal site) may constitute a potential health hazard.     

Organic contamination in clams,Venerupis aurea laeta and Cerastoderma edule glaucum,from Sicily (Italy)

Two species of edible clams Venerupis aurea laeta and Cerastoderma edule glaucum from Ganzirri Lake (Sicily, Italy) were investigated to determine OCP and PCB residues by GC-MS. Thirty-five samples were examined for two years in order to perform: a) their actual contamination; b) the daily dietary exposure of seafood consumers to the pollutants in question. In all the clams analysed in this study, PCB and OCP (4,4′-DDE) residues are always below the limits fixed by law. It seems that there is some seasonality of concentrations observed. In fact the more high concentrations of residues are detected in the hot months, for both species and years. Given the consumption of clams and the values obtained in this study for the two species analysed, it is possible estimate that the average daily dietary intake of NDL-PCB and of 4,4′-DDE for adults is really low.     

Determination of low-level agricultural residues in soft drinks and sports drinks by gas chromatography with mass-selective detection: single-laboratory validation

In this study, sponsored by PepsiCo Inc., a method was validated for measurement of 19 pesticide residues in soft drinks and sports drinks by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) with mass selective detection The pesticide residues determined in this validation were alpha-benzenehexachloride (BHC); beta-BHC; gamma-BHC; delta-BHC; methyl parathion; malathion; chlorpyrifos; aldrin; 2,4-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE); alpha-endosulfan; 4,4-DDE; 2,4-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD); dieldrin; ethion; 4,4-DDD; 2,4-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethylene (DDT); beta-endosulfan; 4,4-DDT; and endosulfan sulfate when spiked into a 200 mL matrix sample at 0.50 microg/L. The samples were diluted with acetonitrile and water, then liquid-liquid phase extracted into petroleum ether. The resulting extract was concentrated to near dryness and diluted with hexane:dichloromethane (50:50). The concentrated samples were purified by gel permeation chromatography. The resulting solution was concentrated and separated on a Florisil substrate. The eluent was concentrated to near dryness, reconstituted to produce a 200-fold concentration, and analyzed using a GC/MS instrument operated in the selective ion monitoring mode. The GC/MS instrument was equipped with a large volume injector capable of injecting 25 microL. External standards prepared in dichloromethane were used for quantification without the need for matrix-matched calibration because the extraction step minimized the matrix effects. The calibration curves for all agricultural residues had coefficients of determination (r2) of greater than or equal to 0.9900, with the exception of one value that was 0.988. Fortification spikes at 0.50 microg/L in 3 matrixes (7UP, Gatorade, and Diet Pepsi) over the course of 2 days (4 days for Gatorade), where n=8 each day, yielded average percent recoveries (and percent relative standard deviations) as follows (n=64): 95.6 (24.8) for alpha-BHC; 91.9 (23.6) for beta-BHC; 89.1 (21.3) for gamma-BHC; 91.7 (19.0) for delta-BHC; 96.2 (20.1) for methylparathion; 99.8 (26.5) for malathion; 120 (27.3) for chlorpyrifos; 103 (31.4) for aldrin; 111 (25.8) for 2,4-DDE; 116 (21.1) for alpha-endosulfan; 132 (34.6) for 4,4-DDE; 123 (34.4) for 2,4-DDD; 104 (20.8) for dieldrin; 141 (31.4) for ethion; 107 (24.5) for 4,4-DDD; 142 (29.2) for 2,4-DDT; 130 (35.9) for beta-endosulfan; 146 (25.3) for 4,4-DDT; and 91.5 (21.6) for endosulfansulfate.     

Sediment certified reference materials for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides from the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ)

Two marine sediment certified reference materials, NMIJ CRM 7304-a and 7305-a, have been issued by the National Metrology Institute of Japan in the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (NMIJ/AIST) for the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). The raw materials of the CRMs were collected from a bay near industrial activity in Japan. Characterization of these CRMs was conducted by NMIJ, where the sediments were analyzed using multiple analytical methods such as pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), saponification, Soxhlet extraction, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), and ultrasonic extraction; the target compounds were determined by one of the primary methods of measurements, isotope dilution–mass spectrometry (ID-MS). Certified values have been provided for 14 PCB congeners (PCB numbers 3, 15, 28, 31, 70, 101, 105, 138, 153, 170, 180, 194, 206, 209) and 4 OCPs (γ-HCH, 4,4′-DDT, 4,4′-DDE, 4,4′-DDD) in both CRMs. NMIJ CRM 7304-a has concentrations of the contaminants that are a factor of 2–15 greater than in CRM 7305-a. Both CRMs have information values for PCB homolog concentrations determined by collaborative analysis using a Japanese official method for determination of PCBs. The total PCB concentrations in the CRMs are approximately 920 and 86 μg kg⁻¹ dry mass respectively. Electronic supplementary material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

Serum organochlorine pesticide and polychlorinated biphenyl levels measured in delivering women from different locations in Tunisia

Blood serum concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and organochlorine pesticides (OCP) such as dichlorodiphenytrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs) were measured in maternal serum (n = 82) from mothers living in different regions in Tunisia. Gas chromatography with electron capture detection was used to quantify residue levels on a volume basis of the organochlorine compounds (OCs). The pattern of OCP in human serum showed that DDTs was consistently the prevalent OC in blood. p,p′-DDE, the major metabolite of p,p′DDT, and HCB were found in all serum samples with mean concentrations of 1.69 and 0.42 ng mL^?1, respectively. PCB congeners 138, 153 and 180 were the predominant congeners measured in all serum samples with a detection frequency of 80%, 72% and 83%, respectively. In general, results found in the investigated group are lower than the concentrations measured in serum blood in other countries.     

Preparation and certification of a fish oil natural matrix reference material for organochlorine pesticides

The mass fractions of six organochlorine pesticides in a fish oil certified reference material (CRM) have been determined using multiple methods of analysis. Fish oil was extracted from the filet of Tilapia fish collected from the River Nile, and this CRM was recently issued by the National Institute of Standards (NIS). It can be used as natural matrix CRM for organochlorine pesticides determination in fish and for marine environmental measurement purposes. The analytical methods used are described, and the obtained results were combined to calculate the mass fractions of the six detected organochlorine pesticides and their associated uncertainty values. It has been concluded that mass fractions of four pesticides are certified values. These are 1,1-(dichloroethylidene)bis[4-chlorobenzene](4,4′-DDE), 1,1-(2,2,-dichloroethylidene)bis[4-chlorobenzene] (4,4′-DDD), 1-chloro-2-[2,2,2-trichloro-1-(4-chlorophenyl)ethyl]benzene (2,4′-DDT) and 1,1-(2,2,2-trichloroethylidene)bis[4-chlorobenzene] (4,4′-DDT). Meanwhile, mass fractions of two pesticides were reference values. These are heptachlor and 1-chloro-2-[2,2-dichloro-1-(4-chlorophenyl)ethyl]benzene (2,4′-DDD).     

River sediment (S-37) – A new analytical quality control material ensuring comparability of chlorinated hydrocarbon analysis during an international environmental study in China

A sediment reference material (S-37) was prepared as analytical quality control material to be used within an international project on polychlorinated hydrocarbon analysis in two Chinese rivers. The raw material was sampled during a cruise on Yangtse River and transported afterwards to the JRC Ispra for further processing. The material was treated according to the general principles applicable for candidate reference material production. After a thorough homogeneity study of the bulk the material was bottled. A total of 1080 bottles each containing 50 g of dry sediment powder was obtained. Final homogeneity and stability testing proved the material to be fit for the purpose. Isotope dilution GC/MS was used to establish target values for pentachlorobenzene (1.17 ± 0.08 ng/g), hexachlorobenzene (3.60 ± 0.17 ng/g), octachlorostyrene (0.19 ± 0.01 ng/g), pentachloroanisole (0.52 ± 0.02 ng/g), α-HCH (0.70 ± 0.05 ng/g), β-HCH (1.38 ± 0.18 ng/g), γ-HCH (0.83 ± 038 ng/g), 2,4′-DDT (0.36 ± 0.04 ng/g), 2,4′-DDE (0.29 ± 0.02 ng/g), 2,4′-DDD (0.49 ± 0.02), 4,4′-DDT (3.42 ± 0.47 ng/g), 4,4′-DDD (1.29 ± 0.17 ng/g), PCB 28 (0.11 ± 0.01 ng/g), PCB 52 (0.09 ± 0.003 ng/g), PCB 101 (0.07 ± 0.003 ng/g), PCB 138 (0.06 ± 0.003 ng/g) and PCB 153 (0.06 ± 0.003 ng/g). Furthermore, indicative values for major and minor constituents as well as for polychlorinated dibenzodioxines and -furanes were measured.     

Studies of the global baseline pollution XIII

Summary High-volume air sampling by adsorption on silica gel on the island Réunion (21°S, 56°E) in the southern Indian Ocean was done for analyzing typical southern hemisphere air for semivolatile organohalogens such as -hexachlorocyclohexane (13) and g-hexachlorocyclohexane (406), hexachlorobenzene (7), polychlorobiphenyls [PCB 28 (3.2); PCB 52 (4.9) PCB 101 (6.0); PCB 138 (5.0); PCB 153 (5.0); PCB 180 (1.5)], 4,4-DDT (8), 4,4-DDE (19), cis- (4) and trans-chlordane (9), trans-nonachlor (3) and heptachloroepoxide (6) in the lower troposphere. The values in parenthesis are mean concentrations in picogram per m³ air. Local input and long range transport could be distinguished in most cases. The 2,4-, 2,6-, 2,4,5-, 2,4,6-, the tetra- and pentachloro-congeners of the chloroanisoles (phenylmethyl-ethers) were detected. 2,3,5,6-Tetrachloro-1,4-dimethoxy-benzene was found in the 100–280 pg/m³ range, while 2,4,6-tribromoanisol was detected in the 8–30 pg/m³ range together with traces of 2,4- and 2,6-dibromoanisole. The sources and the fate of the latter compounds are not yet understood, since both anthropogenic emissions and biogenic origin are possible.The ratios of the concentrations in the southern and northern hemisphere (south/north ratio) of the semivolatile organochlorine compounds are discussed. The south/north ratio ranges from 0.05 to 0.09 for HCB and -HCH, respectively, to 0.74 for the PCBs and 0.9 for g-HCH, to 3 for 4,4-DDE and up to 8 for 4,4-DDT. This indicates that there is no significant interhemispheric exchange for compounds such as HCB and -HCH in the atmosphere, and as a consequence the same must be true for other semivolatile compounds. Part XII: Fresenius Z Anal Chem (1988) 330:524–526 Present address: BASF, Ludwigshafen, Federal Republic of Germany     

Human Health Risk Surveillance Through the Determination of Organochlorine Pesticides by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography in Water,Sediments, and Fish from the Chenab River,Pakistan

The current study assessed the spatiotemporal variations and human health surveillance associated with organochlorine pesticide (OCP) contamination in water, sediments, and fish from Chenab River, Pakistan. The OCP determinations were performed using high-performance liquid chromatography with a reverse-phase C18 column. The total OCP levels ranged from 13.33 to 274.59?ng/L in water, 4.63 to 239.11?ng/g in sediments, and 23.79 to 387.12?ng/g in fish species. The overall pattern of mean OCP concentrations followed the order as ΣDDTs?>?Σendosulfan?>?aldrin and OCP pollution pattern among the headworks were Khanki Barrage?>?Qadirabad Barrage?>?Trimmu Barrage?>?Marala Barrage in all three environmental matrixes during both seasons. The estimated daily intake (EDI) for ∑OCPs was found to be 22.44?ng/kg/day. The hazard ratios calculated to assess the carcinogenic risk indicated that the values for ∑DDT and aldrin at the 95th percentile concentrations were greater than one, indicating the probability of carcinogenic risk occurrence of one in million populations due to fish consumption. Therefore, these high levels of OCPs and carcinogenic risk through fish consumption highlight the needs of immediate elimination of OCPs from riverine environment of Chenab River and we recommend long-term monitoring-based freshwater ecological studies to be conducted in the study area.     

Matrix Solid Phase Dispersion‐Accelerated Solvent Extraction for Determination of OCP Residues in Fish Muscles

A rapid, sensitive and accurate matrix solid phase dispersion‐accelerated solvent extraction (MSPD‐ASE) method for selective determination of sixteen organochlorine pesticide (OCP) residues in fish samples has been developed and validated. 2 g fresh fish muscle was dispersed with 10 g anhydrous sodium sulfate and 2 g acid alumina thoroughly, and loaded into the stainless‐steel extraction cell containing 6 g of acid alumina and 10 g anhydrous sodium sulfate. The temperature 60 °C and two extraction cycles of 5 min gave adequate extraction efficiency using DCM‐hexane (3:7, v/v) mixture as solvent. Not only the lipids, but also other co‐extracts, which peaks mostly located in the forepart of chromatograms and maybe interfere the identification or quantitation of analytes, were eliminated exhaustively, while analytes were extracted selectively. Sixteen OCPs were identified by retention time of standards and quantified using mirex as internal standards. These detected OCPs were confirmed by GC‐MS in real samples. The performance of proposed method was evaluated and validated: the detection limits were 0.008‐0.05 ng g^‐1, relative standard deviations were 1.9‐5.0%, and recoveries were 91.0‐104.1% spiked at 10 ng g^‐1 level. The accuracy and precision of proposed method were equal to or better than that of traditional Soxhlet extraction method.     

Studies of the global baseline pollution

Summary Eggs of penguins can be used to monitor indirectly the pollution of the antarctic and sub-antarctic marine environment. The different penguin species are located in defined circumpolar areas, allowing an easy regional monitoring of persistent xenobiotics in the Antarctic.In eggs from the Gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua), the Rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes crestatus) and the Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) collected 1978 at the Falkland Islands the following xenobiotics could be detected after preseparation by liquid chromatography on Florisil and high resolution glass capillary gas chromatography with electron capture detection: alpha and gamma hexachlorocyclohexane, hexachlorobenzene, polychlorobiphenyls, 2,4-DDT, 4,4-DDT, 4,4-DDE, 4,4-DDD, mirex, polychloroterpenes and further not yet identified xenobiotics. In eggs of the Black-browed albatros (Diomedea melanophris) compounds of technical chlordane could be detected as well. In eggs of the vegetarian Kelp goose (Chloephaga hybrida) only traces of hexachlorobenzene and 4,4-DDE could be detected.Part IV: see [3]     

Determination of organochlorine pesticides and their metabolites in radish after headspace solid-phase microextraction using calix[4]arene fiber

A novel laboratory-made sol-gel calix[4]arene/hydroxy-terminated silicone oil coated fiber has been applied for headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) combined with gas chromatography (GC) with electron capture detection (ECD) to determine 12 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and their metabolites in radish sample. The analytes in the study consisted of α-, β-, γ- and δ-hexachlorocyclohexane (BHC), 1,1,1-trichloro-2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (o,p′-DDT), 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (p,p′-DDT), 2,4-dichlorobenzophenone (o,p′-DBP), 4,4-dichlorobenzophenone (p,p′-DBP), 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene (p,p′-DDE), bis(4-chlorophenyl)methane (p,p′-DDM), 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (p,p′-DDD) and endrin. The following parameters were adjusted to optimize HS-SPME in order to obtain the maximum sensitivity: extraction temperature, extraction time, the addition of salt, desorption temperature and time. Especially, the effect of the complex radish matrix on quantitative extraction of pesticides was discussed in detail. Detection limits of the developed method for radish matrices were below 174 ng/kg for all pesticides. Relative standard deviations for quintuplicate analyses of radish samples fortified each analytes were not higher than 13.1%. The results demonstrate the suitability of the HS-SPME/GC-ECD approach for the analysis of multi-residue OCPs and metabolites in radish.     

Three new mussel tissue standard reference materials (SRMs) for the determination of organic contaminants

Three new mussel tissue standard reference materials (SRMs) have been developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for the determination of the concentrations of organic contaminants. The most recently prepared material, SRM 1974b, is a fresh frozen tissue homogenate prepared from mussels (Mytilus edulis) collected in Boston Harbor, Massachusetts. The other two materials, SRMs 2977 and 2978, are freeze-dried tissue homogenates prepared from mussels collected in Guanabara Bay, Brazil and Raritan Bay, New Jersey, respectively. All three new mussel tissue SRMs complement the current suite of marine natural-matrix SRMs available from NIST that are characterized for a wide range of contaminants (organic and inorganic). SRM 1974b has been developed to replace its predecessor SRM 1974a, Organics in Mussel Tissue, for which the supply is depleted. Similarly, SRMs 2977 and 2978 were developed to replace a previously available (supply depleted) freeze-dried version of SRM 1974a, SRM 2974, Organics in Freeze-Dried Mussel Tissue. SRM 1974b is the third in a series of fresh frozen mussel tissue homogenate SRMs prepared from mussels collected in Boston Harbor starting in 1988. SRM 1974b has certified concentration values for 22 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), 31 polychlorinated biphenyl congeners (PCBs), and 7 chlorinated pesticides. Reference values are provided for additional constituents: 16 PAHs, 8 PCBs plus total PCBs, 6 pesticides, total extractable organics, methylmercury, and 11 trace elements. PAH concentrations range from about 2 ng g^–1 dry mass (cyclopenta[cd]pyrene) to 180 ng g^–1 dry mass (pyrene). PCB concentrations range from about 2 ng g^–1 dry mass (PCB 157) to 120 ng g^–1 dry mass (PCB 153). The reference value for total PCBs in SRM 1974b is (2020 ± 420) ng g^–1 dry mass. Pesticide concentrations range from about 4 ng g^–1 dry mass (4,4-DDT) to 40 ng g^–1 dry mass (4,4-DDE). SRM 2977 has certified values for 14 PAHs, 25 PCB congeners, 7 pesticides, 6 trace elements, and methylmercury. Reference values for 16 additional PAHs and 9 inorganic constituents are provided, and information values are given for 23 additional trace elements. SRM 2978 has certified and reference concentrations for 41 and 22 organic compounds, respectively, and contains contaminant levels similar to those of SRM 1974b. Organic contaminant levels in SRM 2977 (mussels from Guanabara Bay, Brazil) are typically a factor of 2 to 4 lower than those in SRM 1974b and SRM 2978. The organic contaminant concentrations in each new mussel tissue SRM are presented and compared in this paper. In addition, a chronological review of contaminant concentrations associated with mussels collected in Boston Harbor is discussed as well as a stability assessment of SRM 1974a.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at . A link in the frame on the left on that page takes you directly to the supplementary material.     

Determination of DDT in Animal Fats After Matrix Solid-Phase Dispersion Extraction Using an Activated Carbon Filter

A novel method for determining pp’-DDT, op’-DDT, pp’-DDE, and pp’-DDD contamination in animal fats (beef tallow, lard, and chicken fat) without using toxic organic solvents for sample preparation, followed by HPLC, has been developed. The sample is prepared by matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) extraction with Toyobo-KF^®, an activated carbon fiber, as a new MSPD sorbent. The average recoveries (spiking levels: 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 µg g^?1) ranged from 58 to 93%, with relative standard deviations of < 7%. The limits of quantitation were 0.18 µg g^?1.     

Development and validation of an analytical methodology for the determination of p,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDE and p,p′-DDD in fish oil pills

An analytical methodology was proposed and validated to be applied to the determination of p,p′-DDT and its metabolites p,p′-DDE and p,p′-DDD in fish oil. The analytical procedure presented in this paper involves a single-step clean up process prior to the analysis. A solution of 1,2,3,4-tetrachloronaphtalene was used as internal standard.The analytical technique used was gas chromatography coupled to an electron capture detector. Details on the validation process are provided.The limits of detection ranged from 2.6 to 4.7 pg μL^− 1. The BCR 598 standard reference material (cod liver oil) was used to evaluate the performance of the methodology with satisfactory recoveries for all the compounds.The analytes were determined in three different fish oil pills sold in Spain as a supplementary vitamin support. The sum of p,p′-DDT and metabolites was from 13.2 to 51.3 ng g^− 1, the dominant compound being p,p′-DDE.     

Detection of organochlorine pesticides in estuarine sediments of protected wetlands in Taiwan using high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-electron capture detector

Trace residues of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in estuarine surface sediments were investigated at three protected wetlands in southern Taiwan using high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS) and gas chromatography-electron capture detector (GC-ECD). This study facilitates the development of new strategies for investigating OCPs, particularly at background levels. Linear relationships were obtained between total OCP concentrations (∑OCP), as analyzed by HRGC/HRMS, and the sediment's total organic carbon (TOC) and water content. It contrasted with the results acquired by GC-ECD, where no significant relationship was found. GC-ECD is a rugged option for daily routine practice, particularly in cases of patterns yielded by GC-ECD is clear; the HRGC/HRMS method provides more reliable qualitative and quantitative capabilities and is highly recommended for studying the fate of OCPs and carrying out risk assessments. The average ∑OCP of these three wetlands by HRGC/HRMS was found in a range of 0.214 to 1.049 ng/g dry weight. The highest OCP level might be attributed to associated irrigation systems receiving massive discharges of domestic sewage from an urban area upstream of the wetland. The ratio of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) to its metabolites indicated that the DDT residue in these areas was from aged input. According to sediment quality guidelines, adverse ecotoxicological effects of OCPs upon sediments were not expected in these protected wetlands.