Simulataneous determination of carboxylic acids and carbonyl compounds in estuaries by HPLC

Summary A method for the determination of 22 low relative molecular mass oxocarboxylic acids and carbonyl compounds in estuarine and marine samples is described. After derivatization of 5 ml samples with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine separation is performed on a RP-18 column by gradient elution and with UV-detection. The detection limit ranges from 17 ngl⁻¹ (glycolaldehyde) to 500 ngl⁻¹ (cyclohexanone). The method was established for routine analysis of samples taken in an estuarine ecosystem but can be used for other aqueous systems as well.     

High-throughput simultaneous determination of plasma water deuterium and 18-oxygen enrichment using a high-temperature conversion elemental analyzer with isotope ratio mass spectrometry

This paper presents a high-throughput method for the simultaneous determination of deuterium and oxygen-18 (18O) enrichment of water samples isolated from blood. This analytical method enables rapid and simple determination of these enrichments of microgram quantities of water. Water is converted into hydrogen and carbon monoxide gases by the use of a high-temperature conversion elemental analyzer (TC-EA), that are then transferred on-line into the isotope ratio mass spectrometer. Accuracy determined with the standard light Antartic precipitation (SLAP) and Greenland ice sheet precipitation (GISP) is reliable for deuterium and 18O enrichments. The range of linearity is from 0 up to 0.09 atom percent excess (APE, i.e. -78 up to 5725 delta per mil (dpm)) for deuterium enrichment and from 0 up to 0.17 APE (-11 up to 890 dpm) for 18O enrichment. Memory effects do exist but can be avoided by analyzing the biological samples in quintuplet. This method allows the determination of 1440 samples per week, i.e. 288 biological samples per week.     

Trace analysis of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances in various matrices-How do current methods perform?

Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of industrial chemicals, some of which have been produced for over 50 years. Scarcely one decade ago, their ubiquity in wildlife, humans and the global environment was discovered. This urged the need for robust and reliable, yet very sensitive analytical methods allowing for their determination in various matrices. This article reviews the state-of-the-art in trace analysis of ionic and neutral PFAS in humans as well as environmental samples such as wildlife, water, solid matrices and air. Analytical protocols for PFAS determination in food and consumer products are also included. The methods are critically discussed in terms of their advantages, shortcomings, possibilities, limitations, and potential for further development.     

Accelerated extraction for determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in marine biota

A rapid and simple method is proposed for determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in complex matrices such as marine biota. The method uses sonication, by means of an ultrasonic probe, as a new tool for assisted extraction, coupled with reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RP-LC) with fluorescence detection (FL) for determination of 16 US EPA priority PAH. Separation and detection of the 16 PAH were complete in 45 min by RP-LC with a C₁₈ column and acetonitrile–water gradient elution. Multivariate optimisation of the variables affecting extraction (ultrasound radiation amplitude, sonication time, and temperature of the water-bath in which the extraction cell was placed) was conducted. The accuracy of the method was determined by analysis of a certified reference material and comparison of the results obtained with those from another method (microwave-assisted extraction and GC–MS). The new technique avoids the main problems encountered in the determination of PAH in complex matrices such as marine biota, and no clean-up step is necessary. The method was applied to determination of PAH in estuarine biota samples from the Urdaibai estuary (Biscay, Spain).     

Ultra-trace-level determination of polar pesticides and their transformation products in surface and estuarine water samples using column liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry.

A method is developed for the determination of polar pesticides and their transformation products [atrazine, deethylatrazine, deisopropylatrazine, hydroxyatrazine, diuron, 3,4-dichlorophenylmethylurea, 3,4-dichlorophenylurea (DPU), monuron, bentazone, anthranil-isopropylamide, chloridazon, metolachlor] in surface, estuarine and sea water samples at the low ng/l level. Solid-phase extraction is combined off-line with column liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric detection (LC-ESI-MS-MS). The applicability of two solid-phase materials, i.e., LiChrolut EN cartridges and graphitized carbon black extraction disks, is evaluated. The influence of the organic solvent used in gradient LC, as well as the amount of co-extracted humic material on the ESI process is studied. The eluotropic strength of the organic solvent was found to have a distinct effect on the sensitivity of ESI-MS if coupled with LC gradient separations. Methanol gave much better results than acetonitrile and phenylurea compounds are more susceptible to solvent changes than triazines. Co-extracted humic material causes signal suppression in ESI-MS-MS detection. The degree of suppression depends upon the sample pH and the nature of the samples, i.e., surface or estuarine water. Detection limits in LC-ESI-MS-MS ranged from 0.2 to 2 ng/l, with the exception of DPU (8 ng/l). The applicability of the procedure was demonstrated by analyzing surface and estuarine water.     

Organic UV filters in marine environments: An update of analytical methodologies,occurrence and distribution

Ultraviolet filters (UV Filters) are compounds that are widely employed in personal care products such as sunscreens to protect the skin from sun damage, but they are also added to other products, such as food packaging, plastics, paints, textiles, detergents, etc. The continuous use of these products causes the release of a substantial amount of these products into the marine environment through direct input or wastewater discharge, and thus they are becoming an important class of contaminants of emerging concern. A correlation between their occurrence and different negative effects on marine biota has been reported.Taking into account all the possible impacts on the environment, knowledge of their presence and distribution in the different compartments of the ecosystems, ranging from waters and sediments to aquatic organisms, which potentially suffer from bioaccumulation and biomagnification processes, is essential. High concentrations of ultraviolet filters have been found in samples collected from across the entire planet, even in polar regions, revealing their global distribution.Therefore, interest in the sensitive determination of ultraviolet filters in several marine matrices has increased. In this article, an overall review of the more recently reported analytical chemistry methods for identifying and quantifying these compounds in marine environmental samples is presented. We compare and discuss the potential advantages and disadvantages of every step involved in the analytical procedure, including the pre-treatment, treatment and extraction processes that are required to avoid matrix effects. Moreover, we describe the worldwide occurrence and distribution of those most important UV filters.     

Multiresidue determination of UV filters in water samples by solid‐phase extraction and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry analysis

UV filters, contained in sunscreens and other cosmetic products, as well as in some plastics and industrial products, are nowadays considered contaminants of emerging concern because their widespread and increasing use has lead to their presence in the environment. Furthermore, some UV filters are suspected to have endocrine disruption activity. In the present work, we developed an analytical method based on liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of UV filters in tap and lake waters. Sixteen UV filters were extracted from water samples by solid‐phase extraction employing graphitized carbon black as adsorbent material. Handling 200 mL of water sample, satisfactory recoveries were obtained for almost all the analytes. The limits of detection and quantification of the method were comparable to those reported in other works, and ranged between 0.7–3.5 and 1.9–11.8 ng/L, respectively; however in our case the number of investigated compounds was larger. The major encountered problem in method development was to identify the background contamination sources and reduce their contribution. UV filters were not detected in tap water samples, whereas the analyses conducted on samples collected from three different lakes showed that the swimming areas are most subject to UV filter contamination.     

The biology and chemistry of the zoanthamine alkaloids

Marine natural products have long played an important role in natural products chemistry and drug discovery. Mirroring the rich variety and complicated interactions of the marine environment, the substances isolated from sea creatures tend to be incredibly diverse in both molecular structure and biological activity. The natural products isolated from the polyps of marine zoanthids are no exception. The zoanthamine alkaloids, the first of which were isolated over 20 years ago, are of particular interest to the synthetic community because they feature a novel structural framework and exhibit a broad range of biological activities. In this Review, we summarize the major contributions to understanding the zoanthamine natural products with regard to their isolation and structure determination, as well as studies on their biological activity and total synthesis.     

Gas chromatography retention data of environmentally relevant polybrominated compounds

Polybrominated organic compounds are ubiquitous throughout the environment. This generic term comprises several classes of brominated flame retardants (e.g., polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polybrominated biphenyls, hexabromocyclododecane, dibromopropyltribromophenyl ether, 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane) as well as a range of marine halogenated natural products (HNPs). Here we present gas chromatography retention times and elution orders (on DB-5) of 122 polybrominated compounds that may be found in food and environmental samples. Organobromine compounds in fish samples determined with gas chromatography interfaced to electron-capture negative ion mass spectrometry (GC/ECNI-MS) are discussed. The environmental relevance and important mass spectrometric features of the compounds are described as well. Our database aims to support the closer inspection and identification of peaks in gas chromatograms and to initiate dedicated screening for less frequently studied organobromines in samples.     

Determination of alkylphenols and alkylphenol carboxylates in wastewater and river samples by hemimicelle-based extraction and liquid chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry

Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-coated alumina and cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC)-coated silica were investigated as new sorbents for the concentration of alkylphenol polyethoxylate (APE) biodegradation products from wastewater and river water samples. Octylphenol (OP), nonylphenol (NP), octylphenol carboxylic acid (OPC) and nonylphenol carboxylic acid (NPC) were quantitatively retained on both supramolecular sorbents on the basis of the formation of mixed hemimicelles and admicelles. SDS hemimicelles-based SPE was proposed for the extraction/concentration of the target compounds prior to their separation and quantitation by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization in negative mode, ion trap mass spectrometry. No clean-up steps or evaporation of the eluent were required. The recovery of APE metabolites from sewage and river water ranged between 87 and 100%. Concentration factors of about 500, using sample volumes of 1 l, were achieved. Detection limits were between 75 and 193 ng/l. The approach developed was applied to the determination of alklylphenols and alkylphenol carboxylic acids in raw and treated sewage and river samples. The concentrations of APE metabolites found ranged between 0.8 and 78 microg/l.     

Determination of butyltin, methyltin and tetraalkyltin in marine food products with gas chromatography-atomic absorption spectrometry

Extraction methods were developed for the determination of butyltin, methyltin and tetraalkyltin in marine food products. Alkyltins were complexed with either diphenylthiocarbazone (dithizone) or tropolone from enzymatically hydrolysed samples. Tetraalkyltins were extracted with hexane. Butyl or methyl derivatives of the alkyltins were made by Grignard reaction for analysis by gas chromatography-atomic absorption spectrometry. Many of the examined marine food products contained ppb levels of alkyltins. Tetramethyltin and tetraethyltin levels were less than the method detection limits of 0.8 and 0.7 ng/g (as Sn), respectively.     

The discovery of hidden arsenic species in coastal waters

The analysis of ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated and untreated seawater samples has shown that the dissolved arsenic content of marine waters cannot be completely determined by hydride generation–atomic absorption spectrophotometry without sample pretreatment. Irradiation of water samples obtained during a survey of arsenic species in coastal waters during the summer of 1988 gave large increases in the measured speciation. Average increases in the measured speciation. Average increases in total arsenic, monomethylarsenic and dimethylarsenic were 0.29 μg As dm^?3 (25%), 0.03 μg As dm^?3 (47%) and 0.12 μg As dm^?3 (79%), respectively. Overall, an average 25% increase in the concentration of dissolved arsenic was observed following irradiation. This additional arsenic may be derived from compounds related to algal arsenosugars or to their breakdown products. These do not readily yield volatile hydrides when treated with borohydride and are not therefore detected by the normal hydride generation technique. This has important repercussions as for many years this procedure, and other analytical procedures which are equally unlikely to respond to such compounds, have been accepted as giving a true representation of the dissolved arsenic speciation in estuarine and coastal waters. A gross underestimate may therefore have been made of biological involvement in arsenic cycling in the aquatic environment.     

Determination of tributyltin in marine sediment and waters by pressurised solvent extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

In this study, tributyltin (TBT) was extracted from marine sediment matrix with the use of pressurised solvent extraction (PSE), which uses high-temperature and -pressure conditions to increase extraction efficiency. The analyte was chromatographically resolved using a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) system with a pentafluorophenyl (PFP) column and a methanol/aqueous formic acid mobile phase gradient, and was detected by MS/MS as product fragments after collisionally induced dissociation (CID) of the cationic parent molecule. This study represents the first application of PSE extraction combined with LC-MS/MS analysis for the determination of TBT in sediments. The method has been validated according to the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 17025:2001 and affords automated extraction of sediment samples with high-sensitivity analysis. The full method limit of detection was established as 1.25 ng Sn g^?1 with an instrument detection limit of 0.01 ng Sn g^?1. The chromatographic procedure may also be applied for the direct analysis of water matrices without the need for sample manipulation, and therefore represents a combined analytical approach for the monitoring of TBT contamination in marine or estuarine ecosystems.     

酶消解-单颗粒电感耦合等离子质谱法测定农产品中纳米铂颗粒

铂纳米颗粒在汽车行业中被广泛用作汽车尾气催化剂。随着铂纳米颗粒在工业生产中的广泛应用,它在环境中广泛分布并可能从植物累积进入食物链中。因此,建立一种在农产品中的定量分析方法是至关重要的。以酶消解的前处理方法结合单颗粒-电感耦合等离子体质谱法(Single particle ICP-MS,SP-ICP-MS)测定农产品中纳米铂颗粒(PtNPs)粒径分布及颗粒数量浓度。通过优化前处理提取条件,当Macerozyme R-10酶为10 mg、柠檬酸缓冲溶液浓度为5 mmol/L、提取时间36 h时,农产品中PtNPs提取效果较高。PtNPs粒径检出限为20 nm,颗粒浓度检出限为5×10⁵ particle/L,铂颗粒浓度回收率在(81±3)%~(91±4)%,加标后平均粒径(41±3)~(47±2)nm,与50 nm PtNPs标准溶液粒径接近。方法操作简单、检出限低、准确度高,适用于农产品中PtNPs定量分析,为客观评价农产品铂纳米毒性效应提供可靠的分析技术。     

Method development for simultaneous analysis of HBCD,TBBPA, and dimethyl-TBBPA in marine biota from Greenland and the Faroe Islands

The brominated flame retardants hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) are high-production-volume chemicals. In recent years, their presence has been reported in sediment and biota from the marine environment. In this study, an analytical method was developed for the simultaneous determination of HBCD, TBBPA, and the possible metabolite dimethyl-TBBPA. The method was applied in a preliminary screening of egg, liver, and adipose tissue of marine biota from Greenland and the Faroe Islands. α-HBCD was detected in 35 of 36 analysed samples from the Arctic, indicating a ubiquitous presence of α-HBCD in the environment. β- and γ-HBCD were found in 10 and 14 samples, respectively. TBBPA and dimethyl-TBBPA were not detected in any of the samples indicating limited or no transport of these compounds to remote areas.     

Determination of selenium in sediments by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry. Elimination of interferences

Summary The hydride generation/atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) with an automated flow system is useful for the routine analysis of selenium in environmental samples. This method is, however, subject to interferences from transition metal ions and other hydride forming ions. The conditions to minimize the interferences were established: the concentration of hydrochloric acid 6 mol/l; the concentration of tetrahydroborate 0.5%. Iron(III) chloride released the depression of selenium signals by metal ions such as copper(II) and bismuth(III). Selenium in several standard reference materials including sediment samples was determined by the present method and by fluorimetry with 2,3-diaminonaphthalene. The results obtained by the two methods agreed with an acceptable precision. This means that hydride generation/AAS offers good precision and accuracy in the determination of selenium in sediment samples as well as DAN fluorimetry. However, the former is much simpler in operation. The method was applied to the determination of selenium in estuarine sediments collected in Nagoya harbor and Ise Bay. The results can be used to assess the pollution state of these places.

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Selenbestimmung in Sedimenten durch AAS mit Hydriderzeugung. Eliminierung von Störungen

     

Determining the purity of samples from natural products by coupling HPLC and CCD spectrometry

Isolation and identification of natural products is a very important and active research field. However, establishing the purity of the samples during the isolation process is quite difficult, especially when the retention times are similar for two desired components in HPLC. Although some technologies, e.g. MS and NMR, offer effective ways of obtaining purity information about the samples, the expensive instrumentation required or the off-line nature of coupling (generally speaking) make purity analysis somewhat inconvenient. In this paper, an on-line analytical system coupling HPLC and a CCD spectrometer for determination of purity for each eluate was developed in a thin layer spectrometric cell. The effectiveness of the system was demonstrated by differentiating Tanshinone I, Tanshinone IIA, and their mixture. The time-resolved UV-Vis spectra promptly revealed significant differences between the three samples while conventional single wavelength detection (CSWLD) could not. The system was then used to distinguish two steroid compounds which behaved as a single component in CSWLD. The compounds were isolated from a Chinese marine invertebrate animal, a marine annelid, Arenicola cristata, referred to here as Stimpson. The method reported here provided an efficient, convenient, fast, and inexpensive approach holding promise for on-line determination of the purity of samples isolated from natural products.     

Field measurement of nitrate in marine and estuarine waters with a flow analysis system utilizing on-line zinc reduction

A sensitive reagent-injection flow analysis method for the spectrophotometric determination of nitrate in marine, estuarine and fresh water samples is described. The method is based on the reduction of nitrate in a micro column containing zinc granules at pH 6.5. The nitrite formed is reacted with sulfanilamide and N-(1-naphthyl)ethylene diamine (Griess reagent), and the resulting azo compound is quantified spectrophotometrically at 520 nm. Water samples in the range of 3-700 μg L⁻¹ NO₃⁻-N can be processed with a throughput of up to 40 samples per hour, a detection limit of 1.3 μg L⁻¹ and reproducibility of 1.2% RSD (50 μg L⁻¹ NO₃⁻-N, n = 10). The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of nitrate in estuarine waters and the reliability was assessed by the analyses of certified reference materials and recovery experiments. The method is suitable for waters with a wide range of salinities, and was successfully used for more than 3200 underway nitrate measurements aboard SV Pelican1 in the “Two Bays” cruise in January 2010.