Simple and sensitive determination of low-molecular-mass aromatic aldehydes in swimming pool water by LC-diode array detector

This work reports the development of a simple method for the quantitative determination of aromatic and aliphatic low-molecular-mass aldehydes (LMMAs) as disinfection by-products (DBPs) in indoor swimming pool waters after chlorination with a simplified SPE sample treatment. The method is based on the continuous in situ derivatization/preconcentration of the aldehydes with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) on a Lichrolut EN column in the presence of β-CD. After elution, the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine derivatives were separated on an RP-C(18) analytical column using gradient of ACN-water at 60-80%. The optimized sample treatment described here allowed the direct analysis of large volumes of water in order to improve the sensitivity of the method; LODs in the 60-120 ng/L range were achieved for aromatic LMMAs by using a volume of 50 mL of water, precision being 7.5% or better at a concentration level of 5 μg/L. These results indicate that the ensuing method is a useful choice for the determination of LMMAs in water samples that provides better results than reported LC alternatives in terms of the LOD (except for MS/MS detection), sample requirements for analysis and cost.