Determination of organotin compounds by headspace solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatography–pulsed flame-photometric detection (HS-SPME–GC–PFPD)

A method based on Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME, with a 100 μm PDMS-fiber) in combination with gas-chromatography and pulsed flame-photometric detection (GC-PFPD) has been investigated for simultaneous determination of eight organotin compounds. Monobutyltin (MBT), dibutyltin (DBT), tributyltin (TBT), monophenyltin (MPhT), and the semi-volatile diphenyltin (DPhT), triphenyltin (TPhT), monooctyltin (MOcT), and dioctyltin (DOcT) were determined after derivatization with sodium tetraethylborate. The conditions used for the extraction and preconcentration step were optimised by experimental design methodology. Tripropyltin (TPrT) and diheptyltin (DHepT) were used as internal standards for quantification of volatile and semi-volatile organotin compounds, respectively. The analytical precision (RSD) for ten successive injections of a standard mixture containing all the organic tin compounds ranged between 2 and 11%. The limits of detection for all the organotin compounds were sub ng (Sn) L⁻¹ in water and close to ng (Sn) kg⁻¹ in sediments. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by analysis of two certified reference material (CRM) sediment samples. The HS-SPME–GC–PFPD was then applied to the analysis of three harbour sediment samples. The results showed that headspace SPME is an attractive tool for analysis of organotin compounds in solid environmental matrices.     

Speciation of organotin in environmental sediment samples

An optimized sample preparation procedure for organotin speciation in sediment samples has been applied to the analysis of sediments collected in the environment. The method is based on tropolone complexation of the ionic organotins, followed by extraction into a hexane-ethylacetate mixture and derivatization by NaBEt(4). The method was applied to the determination of organotin in various harbour, shipyard and dry-dock sediments in Belgium. Butyltin compounds were detected in all samples analyzed, often at high mg kg(-1) levels. A limited number of samples showed the presence of phenyltin compounds. Further, the method was adapted to the analysis of river sediments sampled from the vicinity of shipyards. Butyltin concentrations were detected at the microg kg(-1) level in the majority of samples.     

Speciation of organotin in sediments by multicapillary gas chromatography with atomic emission detection after microwave-assisted leaching and solvent extraction-derivatization

Microwave-assisted leaching of organotin compounds from sediment samples followed by the simultaneous extraction-derivatization of the extracted species was revisited with the goal to compare the existing procedures, improve their recoveries and extend them to phenyltin compounds. The stability of butyl- and phenyltin compounds under microwave field, real recoveries of the whole analytical procedure, effect of the extraction solvent, and the necessity for an internal standard were evaluated using two candidate reference sediments. The combination of the optimized sample preparation procedure with multicapillary chromatography resulted in a rapid (2 min leaching + 5 min extraction-derivatization + 3 min chromatographic separation) and efficient analytical procedure for speciation analysis of organotin compounds in sediment samples. The detection limit achieved with a microwave-induced plasma atomic emission detector was 2 ng g^–1. Received: 27 July 1998 / Revised: 31 August 1998 / Accepted: 4 September 1998     

Analytical Methods for Speciation of Organotins in the Environment

The growing awareness over the environmental fate of organotin compounds is reflected in the large number of analytical methods developed for their separation. Organotin compounds have varying degrees of toxicological properties, depending on the nature and number of alkyl groups bonded to the tin atom. Most of the analytical speciation methods applied to actual environmental media have involved prior derivatization to transform organotin compounds into volatile hydrophobic analytes amenable to separation and identification by gas chromatography coupled to a sensitive and selective tin-detector. Evidence exists that members of the same homologous series are related by environmental degradation pathways. Chemical treatment prior to analysis, or high temperatures associated with gas chromatography separation, may alter the relative amounts of organotins in samples and blur the true environment picture. To avoid species redistribution that may occur during derivatization or gas speciation analysis, methods based on liquid chromatography and supercritical fluid chromatography have been investigated. This review documents analytical methods for determination of tin and speciation of organotin compounds, in the hope that it will be of value to those interested in initiating a programme for assessing the impact of such species on the environment.     

Organotin levels in the Ria Formosa lagoon,Portugal

Organotin concentrations were measured in water, sediments and clams (Ruditapes decussatus) from 11 sites in the Ria Formosa lagoon, Portugal, in 1992–93. Results showed a marked spatial pattern of tributyltin (TBT) and dibutyltin concentrations. The highest organotin concentrations were observed at Olhão (site 5), where the most important fishing harbour of the Southern coast of Portugal is located. Results indicated that fishing vessels, moored in the harbour at Olhão (site 5), were the major source of organotin contamination to the lagoon. No significant seasonal trend was observed, suggesting a continuous input of organotin compounds throughout the year. In several areas of the lagoon the TBT burdens in R. decussatus could have deleterious developmental effects. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of Organotin Compounds in Wine by Microwave-Assisted Extraction and High Performance Liquid Chromatography–Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

A new analytical procedure for the determination of five organotin compounds in several matrix wine samples is reported. The organotin compounds were extracted by microwave-assisted extraction with n-hexane. Extraction conditions, such as volume of n-hexane required, extraction temperature, and extraction time, were investigated and optimized by an orthogonal array experimental design. The determination of organotin compounds in the final extracts was carried out by liquid chromatography–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The procedure showed limits of detection between 0.029–0.049 µg · L^?1. The linearity was in the range of 0.5 to 100 µg · L^?1. The precision expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD) was below 9.43%. The developed method was successfully employed to analyze different matrix wine samples, and some analytes were detected at the level of 0.053 to 1.14 µg · L^?1.     

Simple and effective gas chromatographic mass spectrometric procedure for the speciation analysis of organotin compounds in specimens of marine mussels. An evaluation of the organotin pollution of the lagoon of venice

This paper describes a simple, effective analytical procedure, based on a gas chromatographic mass spectrometric technique, for the speciation analysis of organotin compounds (OTC) in mussel samples. The direct alkylation reaction of the organotin chlorides in the aqueous digestion solution by NaBEt(4) allowed a short analysis time and a good recovery. The evaluation of the yield of each step constituting the analytical procedure indicated that the alkylation step is the most critical one. The proposed method was advantageously utilised to monitor the level of OTC pollution of the Lagoon of Venice. All the sites examined, both near to and far from anthropogenic activities, revealed significant levels of OTC pollution.     

Focused ultrasound and molecularly imprinted polymers: a new approach to organotin analysis in environmental samples

There is a high interest in speciation of organotin compounds (OTCs) in biota and marine sediment samples, due to their influence in the transmission of the contamination in the trophic chain. Sample treatment is still the most "compromising" step of speciation analysis. Extraction methods are in general time-consuming due to long extraction times and several analytical steps involved. In addition, in most cases there are problems of low recovery, especially for MBT. These drawbacks, added to the high matrix effects generally present in biota samples, make the sample treatment for organotin analysis a serious challenge for environmental issues. Here we present a novel, fast and efficient two steps method for organotin speciation in mussel and oyster tissue as well as in marine sediments. The first step based on the use of ultrasonic probe extraction for species leaching allowed us to quantitatively extract these compounds in a few minutes. Matrix interferences drastically decreased by applying a clean-up step based on the use of an imprinted polymer especially designed for tributyltin (TBT). This procedure increased accuracy and precision of the GC-FPD analysis and improving the limit of detection, Besides, this new method prevents the use of standard addition calibration method, which is mandatory without the clean-up step. The optimization and validation has been performed by using three reference materials: mussel tissue CRM-477, oyster candidate T-38 and sediment PACS-2.     

Simultaneous determination of organotin,organolead, and organomercury compounds in environmental samples using capillary gas chromatography with atomic emission detection

As part of a continuing evaluation of new analytical and sample preparation techniques conducted by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the use of capillary gas chromatography with atomic emission detection (GC-AED) for the simultaneous determination of organotin, organolead, and organomercury compounds in environmental samples was investigated. Pentylmagnesium bromide was used to pentylate ionic organotin, organolead, and organomercury compounds; the pentyl derivatives were then separated by GC and determined by AED. Several important GC-AED parameters, including the type of injector inlet, carrier gas flow rate, and helium make-up gas flow rate, were optimized for the simultaneous determination of these organometallic compounds. Their minimum detectable concentrations were approximately 1.0 to 2.5 ng/mL using a 0.5-μL on-column injection. The calibration curves exhibited good linearity between 2.5 and 2500 ng/mL for organotin and organolead compounds, and between 2.5 and 10000 ng/mL for organomercury compounds.     

固相微萃取-气质联用测定胶州湾海水中有机锡化合物

采用顶空固相微萃取-气质联用(HS-SPME-GC-MS)技术测定了胶州湾海水中有机锡的含量.样品用4%的四乙基硼化钠(NaBEt4)进行衍生,同时用PDMS纤维进行萃取,萃取富集后,用气质联用仪进行测定.通过分析,该方法中MBT的线性范围为10～1000ng/L,DBT和TBT的线性范围为50～1000ng/L,相对标准偏差低于14.0%,回收率在70.0%～125.0%之间,检出限低于12.5ng/L;通过所建立的方法对胶州湾海水中有机锡的污染现状进行了调查,发现胶州湾海水中存在不同程度的有机锡污染.     

Simultaneous speciation of mercury and butyltin compounds in natural waters and snow by propylation and species-specific isotope dilution mass spectrometry analysis

A robust method has been developed for simultaneous determination of mercury and butyltin compounds in aqueous samples. This method is capable of providing accurate results for analyte concentrations in the picogram per liter to nanogram per liter range. The simultaneous determination of the mercury and tin compounds is achieved by species-specific isotope dilution, derivatization, and gas chromatography–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (GC–ICP–MS). In derivatization by ethylation and propylation, reaction conditions such as pH and the effect of chloride were carefully studied. Ethylation was found to be more sensitive to matrix effects, especially for mercury compounds. Propylation was thus the preferred derivatization method for simultaneous determination of organomercury and organotin compounds in environmental samples. The analytical method is highly accurate and precise, with RSD values of 1 and 3% for analyte concentrations in the picogram per liter to nanogram per liter range. By use of cleaning procedures and SIDMS blank measurements, detection limits in the range 10–60 pg L^–1 were achieved; these are suitable for determination of background levels of these contaminants in environmental samples. This was demonstrated by using the method for analysis of real snow and seawater samples. This work illustrates the great advantage of species-specific isotope dilution for the validation of an analytical speciation method—the possibility of overcoming species transformations and non-quantitative recovery. Analysis time is saved by use of the simultaneous method, because of the use of a single sample-preparation procedure and one analysis.     

Physico-chemical approach to study organotin sorption-desorption during solid-phase microextraction

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) has become a real alternative to liquid-liquid extraction in the field of speciation of organometallic compounds. Despite the high performance of this preconcentration technique, matrix effects in natural samples can affect the analytical precision. In order to understand the origin of these disturbances and control the extraction step as best as possible, the sorption-desorption behaviour of organotins was studied. In the first part, this paper discusses the analytical problems encountered in the daily use of SPME due to the particular problems observed for phenyltins. The sorption profile of these compounds was modelled using experimental design methodology to confirm the first-order kinetics. Desorption of the compounds was also observed after a given time and could not be attributed to competition between organotin compounds. In the same way, butyl- and phenyltins were studied in the presence of humic substances, which acted as representatives of organic matter found in natural samples. These substances drastically decrease the extraction yields, but do not affect the sorption profile of butyl- and phenyltins.     

气相色谱法测定有机锡化合物的样品前处理技术

用气相色谱分析有机锡化合物，前处理技术是降低检出限、提高灵敏度的前提和重要途径，也是研究的重点和难点。本文就气相色谱分析有机锡化合物时样品的制备与储存，样品的萃取、衍生、净化等前处理技术作了较为系统的介绍。     

Simultaneous determination of butyltin and phenyltin compounds in oysters by capillary gas chromatography

A method is described for the simultaneous determination of butyl- and phenyltin compounds in oyster samples. The organotin compounds were extracted (as chlorides) from oyster homogenates with hydrochloric acid and benzene in the presence of 0.05% tropolone. These compounds were converted into pentyl derivatives with pentyl Grignard reagent and then analysed by capillary gas chromatography with a flame photometric detector equipped with a 393-nm filter. The recoveries of six organotin compounds added to oyster samples ranged from 71 to 74%. The detection limits of butyl- and phenyltin compounds were in the 5-9 pg range as tin. We detected significant amounts of three organotin compounds (di- and tributyltin and triphenyltin) in oyster samples.     

Tartaric acid extraction of organotin compounds from sediment samples

A new extraction method for the determination of tributyltin (TBT), dibutyltin (DBT) and monobutyltin (MBT) in sediments based on extraction with tartaric acid and methanol has been developed. Tin species were extracted from sediment samples using focused microwave technology, then ethylated with sodium tetraethylborate (NaBEt₄) and analyzed by isotope dilution (ID) gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The advantages of such methodology in comparison with other established extraction methods for the routine speciation analysis of organotin compounds are discussed with respect to sulfur interferences co-extracted from complex matrices.Interferences from elemental sulfur are normally found with acetic acid extraction, but with tartaric acid extraction these interferences were eliminated, demonstrating selective extraction.The accuracy of the analytical procedure was established by analyzing a certified reference material (CRM) (PACS-2, marine sediment) and comparing the results to the certified values. Good agreement between determined and certified values for butyltin compounds was obtained. Finally, some complex sediment samples collected from San Vicente's Bay, Chile, were analyzed with the proposed methodology, demonstrating its potential value for monitoring butyltins in environmental samples with high concentrations of sulfur compounds.     

Organotin speciation in environmental samples by capillary gas chromatography and pulsed flame photometric detection (PFPD)

Pulsed flame photometric detection (PFPD) for gas chromatography was applied to organotin compounds as standards and in environmental samples. Ethylated organotin species (n-propyl-, n-butyl- and phenyl-) were extracted from spiked artificial seawater and from an environmental sample. Selectivity towards tin is shown in the analysis of highly polluted seawater samples from a commercial port where no significant interferences are found. The self-cleaning capability and long-term stability of PFPD is shown in this work during 140 days of continuous operation. The absolute limit of detection for this capillary GC–PFPD technique ranged from 0.2 to 0.4 pg (Sn) for tetraethyl- to tetraphenyl-tin, allowing determination of sub-nanogram/litre concentrations of organotin compounds. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Occurrence and chemical speciation analysis of organotin compounds in the environment: A review

Environmental concerns regarding organotin compounds have increased remarkably in the past 20 years, due in large part to the use of these compounds as active components in antifouling paints [mainly tributyltin (TBT)] and pesticide formulations [mainly triphenyltin (TPhT)]. Their direct introduction into the environment, their bio-accumulation and the high toxicity of these compounds towards “non-target” organisms (for example: oysters and mussels) causes environmental and economic damage around the world. As a consequence, the presence and absence of organotin compounds is currently monitored in a range of environmental matrices (e.g., water, sediment and shellfish) to examine the utility of controls meant to regulate the level of contamination as required in some EC Directives and the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC. To evaluate the environmental distribution and fate of these compounds and to determine the effectives of legal provisions adopted by a number of countries, a variety of analytical methods have been developed for organotin determination in the environment. Most of these methods include different steps such as extraction, derivatisation and clean up. The aim of the present review is to evaluate the environmental distribution, fate and chemical speciation of organotin compounds in the environment.     

Atomic absorption spectrometric screening and gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric determination of organotin compounds in marine mussels: an application in samples from the Venetian Lagoon

A new analytical approach for the determination of organotin compounds (OTC) in mussel samples has been developed and evaluated. A preliminary step, performed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) for the total tin determination may be followed by gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC/ MS) speciation only for the characterization of those samples exhibiting total tin concentration higher than 30 ng/g wet weight (GFAAS limit of detection). The GFAAS method was optimized using Pd nitrate under reducing conditions as matrix modifier to minimize NaCl interferences. Organotins were derivatized with a Grignard reagent for GC/MS analysis (TBT limit of detection = 80 ng/g). An application of this strategy was performed on mussel samples collected from the Venetian Lagoon.     

Interferences in ultratrace speciation of organolead and organotin by gas chromatography with atomic spectrometric detection

Interferences in trace and ultratrace speciation analysis of organotin and organolead compounds in various samples by gas chromatography coupled with atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and/or microwave induced plasma atomic emission spectrometry (MIP AES) are investigated. Particular attention is given to the effects of matrix co-extractives and reagents impurities introduced during sample preparation. Their influence on the detection limits is discussed in terms of baseline noise level, blank value, formation of artefacts and signal suppression. Loss of column resolution during the analysis of some matrices is observed.     

超临界流体萃取法对有机锡化合物的选择性萃取

 研究了用超临界流体萃取法直接从脂肪基质的固体样品（大豆粉）中选择性地萃取有机锡化合物的方法。模拟试样萃取结果表明：用较低压力和较高温度的超临界态ＣＯ２作流动相时，有机锡达到最大萃取率，而脂肪类物质仅被少量萃取，从而消除了脂肪类物质对超临界流体色谱法测定有机锡的干扰。