Determination of endogenous and exogenous estrogens in effluents from sewage treatment plants at the ng/L-level

An analytical method for the determination of the major endogenous and exogenous estrogenic steriods in effluent water samples of sewage treatment plants (STPs) with a LOQ down to 1 ng/L and below has been developed. The exogenous estrogen 17α-ethynylestradiol, frequently used as estrogenic component in oral contraceptives, and the endogenous estrogen 17β-estradiol show the highest estrogenic potential, therefore they were part of our target compounds. In addition, the content of the synthetic gestagen levonorgestrel, also often administered in oral contraceptives, was determined. A solid-phase extraction system for high volume sampling of water up to 25 L was implemented. Two types of adsorbent, Amberlite XAD 2 and a mixture of LiChrolut EN/Bondesil C-18, respectively, were tested for their extraction efficiency of these polar analytes. Recovery rates with LiChrolut EN/¶Bondesil C-18 ranged up to 94 %, whereas sampling on XAD 2 led only to poor recoveries below 40 %. After a liquid chromatographic clean-up step on silicagel the steroids were converted into their trimethylsilyl-ethers by the reaction with MSTFA/TMSI (N-methyl-N-trimethylsilyl-2,2,2-trifluoroacetamide, trimethylsilyliodide) and were then determined by HRGC/MS in the selected ion mode. A limit of quantification over the whole procedure of at least 1 ng/L was reached for all analytes. In several effluent samples the input of estrogens by the STP of the cities Ulm and New Ulm into the river Danube was characterised. The concentrations commonly found ranged from 1 ng/L up to 13 ng/L, depending on the respective steroid.     

Liquid chromatographic determination of nine N-methylcarbamates in drinking water

A multi-residue method for the simultaneous extraction from drinking water using solid-phase extraction on LiChrolut EN [poly(styrene-divinylbenzene), PSDVB] and determination of nine N-methylcarbamate pesticides (NMCs) (aldicarb, its metabolites i.e. aldicarb sulfone and aldicarb sulfoxide and carbaryl, carbofuran, dioxacarb, ethiofencarb, methomyl and propoxur) using reversed-phase liquid chromatography was studied. A 1000-fold pre-concentration was achieved and the method was used for determination of the nine pesticides in water, with limits of detection in the range 3-15 ng L(-1). For all compounds the recoveries determined at the 0.1 and 1 microg L(-1) level generally ranged from 85 to 104% with relative standard deviations (RSD) of 1.4-8.8%.     

Highly selective solid-phase extraction and large volume injection for the robust gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis of TCA and TBA in wines

A reliable solid-phase extraction (SPE) method for the simultaneous determination of 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA) and 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA) in wines has been developed. In the proposed procedure 50 mL of wine are extracted in a 1 mL cartridge filled with 50 mg of LiChrolut EN resins. Most wine volatiles are washed up with 12.5 mL of a water:methanol solution (70%, v/v) containing 1% of NaHCO3. Analytes are further eluted with 0.6 mL of dichloromethane. A 40 microL aliquot of this extract is directly injected into a PTV injector operated in the solvent split mode, and analysed by gas chromatography (GC)-ion trap mass spectrometry using the selected ion storage mode. The solid-phase extraction, including sample volume and rinsing and elution solvents, and the large volume GC injection have been carefully evaluated and optimized. The resulting method is precise (RSD (%) < 6% at 100 ng L(-1)), sensitive (LOD were 0.2 and 0.4 ng/L for TCA and TBA, respectively), robust (the absolute recoveries of both analytes are higher than 80% and consistent wine to wine) and friendly to the GC-MS system (the extract is clean, simple and free from non-volatiles).     

Comparison of the performance of graphitized carbon black and poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) cartridges for the determination of pesticides and industrial phosphates in environmental waters

The determination of polar and nonpolar organophosphorus compounds, triazines and their metabolites, molinate and chlorothalonil in 1 l water samples was investigated using off-line solid-phase extraction followed by gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus and flame photometric detection. The ethylvinylbenzene-divinylbenzene copolymer (LiChrolut EN) and the commercial graphitized carbon black (GCB) of Envi-Carb were tested as solid-phase sorbents. The matrix effect was studied by extracting the compounds spiked in water samples of different types (Milli-Q, tap, salted tap water, river and sea water). The polymeric sorbent LiChrolut EN allowed the determination at low ng/l of all 40 compounds tested, except the very polar atrazine-desethyl-deisopropyl (DDA). Recoveries of compounds from the Envi-Carb sorbent are comparable to those obtained for LiChrolut EN with the exception of chlorothalonil and the more hydrophobic organophosphorus compounds (coumaphos, leptophos), which were strongly sorbed in the Envi-Carb cartridges. Envi-Carb, however, enabled the determination of DDA with a limit of detection of 14 ng/l.     

Quantification of estrogenic mycotoxins at the ng/L level in aqueous environmental samples using deuterated internal standards

Because of their pronounced estrogenicity, resorcyclic acid lactones (RALs) are of concern in aqueous environments even at the low ng/L level. Therefore, we developed an accurate, precise and sensitive HPLC-MS/MS method to detect these mycotoxins in different aqueous environmental samples. The compounds investigated included zearalenone (ZON), alpha- and beta-zearalenol, zearalanone as well as alpha- and beta-zearalanol. The use of isotope labelled internal standards (in this case deuterated RAL-analogues) ensured an accurate quantification of the target analytes, independent of matrix compounds interfering with the analytes during ionisation and analyte losses occurring during sample preparation. Sample enrichment was carried out by solid-phase extraction (SPE) using Supelclean Envi-18 cartridges. Absolute method recoveries for all analytes ranged from 95 to 108%, 70 to 102%, and 76 to 109%, method detection limits from 0.5 to 2.1 ng/L, 0.4 to 1.1 ng/L, and 0.8 to 12.4 ng/L and precision from 3 to 14%, 2 to 13% and 4 to 16% in drainage water, river water and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent, respectively. The method was applied to verify the emission of RALs from a Fusarium graminearum infested crop field into the drainage system. Zearalenone was present in drainage water in concentrations up to 30 ng/L. So far, none of the other five investigated compounds have been detected.     

USAEME-GC/MS Method for Easy and Sensitive Determination of Nine Bisphenol Analogues in Water and Wastewater

A new, simple and sensitive method for isolating nine compounds from the bisphenol group (analogues: A, B, C, E, F, G, Cl₂, Z, AP) based on one-step liquid–liquid microextraction with in situ acylation followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was developed and validated using influent and effluent wastewaters. The chemometric approach based on the Taguchi method was used to optimize the main conditions of simultaneous extraction and derivatization. The recoveries of the proposed procedure ranged from 85 to 122%, and the repeatability expressed by the coefficient of variation did not exceed 8%. The method’s limits of detection were in the range of 0.4–64 ng/L, and the method’s limits of quantification ranged from 1.3 to 194 ng/L. The developed method was used to determine the presence of the tested compounds in wastewater from a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in northeastern Poland. From this sample, eight analytes were detected. Concentrations of bisphenol A of 400 ng/L in influent and 100 ng/L in effluent were recorded, whereas other bisphenols reached 67 and 50 ng/L for influent and effluent, respectively. The removal efficiency of bisphenol analogues in the tested wastewater treatment plant ranged from 7 to approximately 88%.     

Comparison of several solid-phase extraction sorbents for continuous determination of amines in water by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A semiautomatic method has been proposed for the determination of different types of amines in water samples including anilines, chloroanilines, N-nitrosamines and aliphatic amines. The analytes were retained on a solid-phase extraction sorbent column and after elution, 1 μL of the extract was analysed by gas chromatography coupled with electron impact ionization mass spectrometry. A systematic overview is given of the advantages and disadvantages of several sorbents (LiChrolut EN, Oasis HLB, RP-C₁₈, graphitized carbon black, fullerenes and nanotubes) in the retention of amine compounds and based on sensitivity, selectivity and reliability. The retention efficiency for the studied amines was higher (ca. 100%) with LiChrolut EN and Oasis HLB than it was with RP-C₁₈ and fullerenes (53 and 62%, respectively, on average). Detection limits of 0.5-16 ng L⁻¹ for the 27 amines studied were obtained when using a sorbent column containing 75 mg of LiChrolut EN for 100 mL of sample, the RSD being lower than 6.5%. The method was applied with good accuracy and precision in the determination of amines in various types of water including river, pond, tap, well, drinking, swimming pool and waste.     

Gas–liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry methodology for the quantitation of estrogenic contaminants in bile of fish exposed to wastewater treatment works effluents and from wild populations

Fish can be exposed to a complex mixture of chemical contaminants arising from the exposure to wastewater treatment works (WwTWs) effluents. Some of these contaminants are estrogenic and have been associated with feminisation of male fish and the presence of populations containing intersex individuals. However the detection of trace levels (ng/L) of estrogenic chemicals surface waters can be difficult and does not give information on the exposure of aquatic organisms to these contaminants. In this study we assessed whether the analysis of estrogenic substances that bioconcentrate in fish bile can be used to detect the exposure of fish to feminising contaminants in receiving waters and effluents, and thus facilitate their monitoring of these substances in aquatic environments. Estrogenic metabolites in bile were deconjugated using enzymatic hydrolysis and partially purified by solid phase extraction. Steroidal and xenoestrogens were derivatized to their trimethylsilyl ethers and quantified by gas–liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS) using multiple reaction monitoring. The method was validated using spiked bile samples from immature female rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) as well as bile from sexually mature roach (Rutilus rutilus) that had been exposed to either tap water or an undiluted estrogenic effluent for 10 days or captured from a river site downstream of a WwTWs effluent discharge. The mean recovery of target analytes from spiked bile was between 86 and 99% and the limit of detection was between 0.1 and 0.7 ng/mL bile for bisphenol A (BPA), 17β-estradiol (E2), estrone (E1) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), and 11, 60 and 327 ng/mL bile for branched nonyl chain isomeric mixtures of 4-nonylphenolethoxylate (NP1EO), 4-nonylphenol (NP) and 4-nonylphenoldiethoxylate (NP2EO), respectively. All target analytes were detected in bile from roach exposed directly to a WwTWs effluent, with concentrations between 6–13 μg/mL bile for NP, 18–21 μg/mL for NP1EO, 75–135 μg/mL for NP2EO, 0.7–2.5 μg/mL for BPA, E2 and E1 and 17–29 ng/mL for EE2. With the exception of NP2EO, all analytes were detected in at least 2 out of the 5 fish sampled from the River Thames. BPA and NP1EO were detected in all three reference fish held in tap water indicating possible contamination from laboratory plastics. The work shows that analysis of 20–100 μL quantities of bile could be a useful approach in detecting exposure to mixtures of estrogenic contaminants taken up by fish from WwTW effluents and has the potential for monitoring the efficacy of remediation strategies that may be adopted for reduction of these endocrine disrupting chemicals in the aquatic environment.     

Determination of phenoxyacid herbicides and their phenolic metabolites in surface and drinking water.

An evaluation was made of the feasibility of using reversed-phase liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry with an electrospray interface (LC/ESI-MS/MS) to measure traces of phenoxyacid herbicides and their metabolites in surface and drinking water samples. The procedure involved passing 0.5 L of river and drinking water samples through a 0.5 g graphitized carbon black (GCB) extraction cartridge. Recovery was higher than 85% irrespective of the aqueous matrix in which the analytes were dissolved. A conventional 4.6-mm i.d. reversed-phase LC C-18 column operating with a mobile phase flow rate of 1 mL/min was used to chromatograph the analytes. A flow of 200 microL/min of the column effluent was diverted to the ESI source. The limits of detection (signal-to-noise ratio = 3) of the method for the pesticides considered in drinking and surface water samples are less than 0.1 ng/L for phenoxyacid herbicides, and about 5-10 ng/L for their metabolites (2,4-dichlorophenol and 4-chloro-2-methylphenol).     

Analysis of 21 progestagens in various matrices by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) with diverse sample pretreatment

In this study, a highly sensitive and robust method using an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry combined with solid-phase extraction and ultrasonic extraction for pretreatment and silica gel purification steps has been developed for determination of 21 natural and synthetic progestagens in river surface water and sediments, and influents, effluents, and sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants, and flush water and feces from swine farms. For the various matrices considered, the optimized method showed satisfactory performance with recoveries of 70–129 % (except AD, 5α-DHP, DPT, HPC), the limits of quantification below 2.30 ng/L for liquid samples and 2.59 ng/g for solid samples (except AD), and good linearity and reproducibility. This developed method was successfully applied in the analysis of progestagens in environmental samples from Liuxi Reservoir, Xintang municipal wastewater treatment plant, and Shunfeng swine farm in South China. Six analytes were detected at trace levels in surface water, effluent, and sediment samples. Seven analytes (0.7 (HPA)–35.1 ng/L (DGT)) were found in the influent samples and three analytes (5.6 (DGT)–11.8 ng/g (5α-DHP)) in the dewatered sludge samples. Moreover, 13 analytes were detected in swine farm, with high concentrations ranging from 23.8 ng/L (ET) to 5,024 ng/L (P) in flush water, and from 20.0 ng/g (MPA) to 1952 ng/g (P) in feces.     

Monitoring of antifouling agents in water samples by on-line solid-phase extraction-liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry

An automatic method for determining diuron, irgarol 1051, folpet and dichlofluanid in seawater samples have been developed. This method is based on the on-line coupling of solid-phase extraction (SPE) with a highly crosslinked polymeric sorbent, LiChrolut EN, to liquid chromatography followed by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and mass spectrometry. The operational parameters affecting the APCI interface have been studied in both positive and negative ionization modes. The use of LiChrolut EN in the SPE produced recoveries of over 85% for all the compounds when 100 ml of seawater sample was preconcentrated. Calibration was carried out in both ionization modes and in full-scan and selected-ion monitoring (SIM). The method allowed all the analytes to be detected at 5 ng l(-1) in SIM acquisition mode except folpet, which, because of its low response, could only be detected at 250 ng l(-1). The method was used to analyse water samples taken from five different marina and fishing ports along the coast of Tarragona, Catalonia (Spain), over a 5-month period. Diuron and irgarol 1051 were detected and quantified in most samples at concentration levels ranging from 27 to 420 ng l(-1) for diuron and from 15 to 511 ng l(-1) for irgarol 1051.     

Determination of steroid hormones, hormone conjugates and macrolide antibiotics in influents and effluents of sewage treatment plants utilising high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray and atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation

In this study we present a high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS) method which has been elaborated to analyse steroid hormones, hormone conjugates, oral contraceptives and macrolide antibiotics unchanged in unfiltered influents and effluents of sewage treatment plants (STPs). HPLC separation of the steroid hormones was achieved in 35 min, as well as those of the antibiotics. The analytes were extracted by solid-phase extraction, followed by clean-up using size exclusion chromatography (SEC). For the final quantification HPLC/MS/MS was used. The two ionisation modes, electrospray ionisation (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI), in HPLC/MS/MS were compared for the analysis of steroid hormones. For quantitative results drastic matrix effects were observed while using ESI. These effects were less pronounced while using APCI. These pitfalls were additionally reduced by clean-up using SEC as well as isotope dilution. Additionally, two multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) transitions per compound were used to prevent false positive results. Recovery experiments with spiked tap water with concentrations varying from 1 to 1000 ng/L gave constant recovery rates: The recovery rates for the hormones and conjugates ranged from 58 to 107%, those of the contraceptives ranged from 83 to 109%. The relative standard deviation was found to be 7 to 24% and the limits of detection were 0.1 to 4.5 ng/L. The recovery rates of the macrolide antibiotics ranged from 76 to 103%, while the relative standard deviation was found to be 7 to 14% and the limits of detection ranged from 0.6 to 1.8 ng/L. The maximum concentrations found in influents of a STP was 470 ng/L for estriol and 1200 ng/L for erythromycin.     

Determination of organophosphorous pesticides in the ppq range using a simple solid-phase extraction method combined with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction

Solid-phase extraction combined with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (SPE-DLLME) was applied for the extraction of six organophosphorous pesticides (OPPs) in water samples. The analytes considered in this study were determined by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry and included prophos, diazinon, chlorpyrifos methyl, methyl parathion, fenchlorphos and chlorpyrifos. Several extraction conditions (extraction solvent and elution/dispersion solvents nature, extraction solvent volume, elution solvent volume, water volume and sample volume) were tested for SPE-DLLME with these analytes and the best results were obtained using carbon tetrachloride as the extraction solvent and acetone as the elution/dispersion solvent. Calibration curves for the determination of OPPs in water samples were constructed in the concentration range of 10-100 ng/L. Limits of detection (LODs) ranged from 38 to 230 pg/L values that are below the maximum admissible level for drinking water (100 ng/L). Relative standard deviations (RSD) were between 8.6 and 10.4% for a fortification level of 100 ng/L. At the same fortification level, the relative recoveries (R.R.) of tap, well and irrigation water samples were in the range of 30.2-97.1%.     

Simultaneous analysis of 16 sulfonamide and trimethoprim antibiotics in environmental waters by liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry method combined with solid-phase extraction and silica cartridge cleanup was established for 16 sulfonamides and trimethoprim in various water matrices. Signal suppression of all target analytes in sewage treatment plant influent, effluent and river water was improved by this method developed in this study. The method detection limits for 17 analytes were 20-200 pg/L for influent, 16-120 pg/L for effluent and 8.0-60 pg/L for river water with overall mean recoveries of 62-102% in all studied matrices. This method was used to analyze residual sulfonamides and trimethoprim in wastewater and river samples from Japan, and 8 analytes (0.08 (sulfadimethoxine)-161 ng/L (sulfapyridine) in wastewater and 10 (0.03 (sulfamethizol)-8.9 ng/L (sulfaquinoxaline) in river samples were detected.     

Rapid gas chromatography-mass spectrometry screening method for human pharmaceuticals, hormones, antioxidants and plasticizers in water

A rapid gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method was developed and validated allowing quantification at the ng/l level of 19 analytes in water including human pharmaceuticals, hormones, antioxidants and a plasticizer. On-line continuous liquid-liquid extraction with dichloromethane of 10-401 unfiltered water samples was used to achieve a 10000-40000-fold concentration factor. No sample cleanup or derivatization was required. Recoveries ranged from 57 to 120%. Application of the method to water recycling plant effluent demonstrated the presence of nearly all targeted compounds at ng/l to microgram/l levels. Screening for nontarget compounds in the treated effluent samples indicated the method could be readily extended to include additional analytes.     

Analysis of atrazine, terbutylazine and their N-dealkylated chloro and hydroxy metabolites by solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and capillary electrophoresis-ultraviolet detection

Solid-phase extraction (SPE) with the styrene-divinylbenzene adsorbent LiChrolut EN was investigated for the extraction of the s-triazine herbicides atrazine and terbutylazine, their polar N-dealkylated degradation products deethylatrazine (DEA), deisopropylatrazine (DIA) and deethylterbutylazine (DET) and for the hydrophilic hydroxytriazine degradation products (HTDPs) hydroxyatrazine (HA), hydroxyterbutylazine (HT), deethylhydroxyatrazine (DEHA), deisopropylhydroxyatrazine (DIHA) and deethyldeisopropylhydroxyatrazine (ameline). The optimum pH value for the extraction of the HTDPs from fortified tap water at 2 micrograms/l is 3.0. Recovery values with 200 mg LiChrolut EN are > 80% for HA, HT, DEHA and 30% for DIHA from 200 ml spiked tap and river water. Atrazine, terbutylazine, DEA, DIA and DET are quantitatively extracted by LiChrolut EN. The chlorotriazines are analyzed by GC-MS and the HTDPs by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MECC) with an acetate buffer at pH 4.6 or a sodium borate-sodium dodecyl sulfate buffer at pH 9.3. The combined method of SPE enrichment and CE analysis allows the determination of HTDPs in the low microgram/l range.     

Metal–organic framework based in‐syringe solid‐phase extraction for the on‐site sampling of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from environmental water samples

In‐syringe solid‐phase extraction is a promising sample pretreatment method for the on‐site sampling of water samples because of its outstanding advantages of portability, simple operation, short extraction time, and low cost. In this work, a novel in‐syringe solid‐phase extraction device using metal–organic frameworks as the adsorbent was fabricated for the on‐site sampling of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from environmental waters. Trace polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were effectively extracted through the self‐made device followed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry analysis. Owing to the excellent adsorption performance of metal–organic frameworks, the analytes could be completely adsorbed during one adsorption cycle, thus effectively shortening the extraction time. Moreover, the adsorbed analytes could remain stable on the device for at least 7 days, revealing the potential of the self‐made device for on‐site sampling of degradable compounds in remote regions. The limit of detection ranged from 0.20 to 1.9 ng/L under the optimum conditions. Satisfactory recoveries varying from 84.4 to 104.5% and relative standard deviations below 9.7% were obtained in real samples analysis. The results of this study promote the application of metal–organic frameworks in sample preparation and demonstrate the great potential of in‐syringe solid‐phase extraction for the on‐site sampling of trace contaminants in environmental waters.     

Use of new generation poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) resins for gas-phase trapping-thermal desorption. Application to the retention of seven volatile organic compounds

Two new generation polymeric resins, Bond Elut ENV (styrene-divinylbenzene) from Varian and LiChrolut EN (ethylvinylbenzene-divinylbenzene) from Merck, commonly used in liquid--solid-phase extraction (SPE) were evaluated as sorbents for gas-phase sampling followed by thermal desorption and compared to Tenax TA, a reference sorbent in this kind of applications. The three resins were tested against seven volatile organic compounds (VOCs): 1-octene, ethylbenzene, (p-, m-, o-)xylenes, styrene and 1,4-dichlorobenzene. Elution curves for all compounds were determined at temperatures from 120 to 180 degrees C, and from such curves, different parameters, such as retention factor (k), distribution coefficient (K), height equivalent to a theoretical plate (H), asymmetry factor (Fa) and breakthrough volume (VB) were calculated and extrapolated at room (25 degrees C) and desorption (220 degrees C) temperatures in order to estimate breakthrough and elution volumes. In average, retention in LiChrolut EN is 10 and 200 times stronger than in Bond Elut ENV and Tenax TA, respectively, but its chromatographic behavior is rather poor giving quite asymmetric elution profiles (Fa >1.8 at 120 degrees C). Bond Elut ENV exhibited the best chromatographic behavior, with H values two or five times lower than those of LiChrolut EN or Tenax TA. An additional advantage of the new sorbents is that retention decreases with T much faster than it does in Tenax (8 or 20 times for Bond Elut ENV or LiChrolut EN). Modeling has finally shown that beds with 60-80 (for Bond Elut ENV) or 300-400 (for LiChrolut EN) times less of sorbent have the same retention properties than standard Tenax TA tubes and similar (LiChrolut EN) or five to six times smaller (Bond Elut ENV) elution volumes. These predictions have been experimentally confirmed.     

Multi-residue analysis of N-methylcarbamate pesticides and their hydrolytic metabolites in environmental waters by use of solid-phase extraction and micellar electrokinetic chromatography

A method for the simultaneous separation and determination of N-methylcarbamate pesticides and their hydrolytic metabolites by micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) was developed. A mixture of five pesticides (carbaryl, propuxur, carbofuran, aminocarb, and methiocarb) and their corresponding phenols was studied to optimize the separation of its components in terms of various electrophoretic parameters such as buffer type, pH and concentration, sodium dodecyl sulfate concentration, injection conditions, and applied voltage. Excellent separation of all ten analytes was achieved within about 20 min. The optimized method was used for determinations in environmental water samples. Sample volumes of 250 mL were first preconcentrated in the pesticides and metabolites by passage through a LiChrolut EN sorbent column and then further enriched by on-column stacking. Dynamic ranges of 40 ng/L - 6 microg/L, limits of detection at the nanogram-per-liter level, and relative standard deviations from 2.6 to 7.4% were obtained. The proposed method surpasses high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in separation efficiency. In fact, it provides more expeditious separations and allows more flexible adjustment of the selectivity. Also, it enables the quantification for the analytes studied in this work with decreased limits of detection.     

Solid-phase extraction of polar hydrophilic aromatic sulfonates followed by capillary zone electrophoresis-UV absorbance detection and ion-pair liquid chromatography-diode array UV detection and electrospray mass spectrometry

A comprehensive comparison of four different polymeric solid-phase extraction (SPE) materials for the extraction of 22 different aromatic sulfonates of environmental concern was performed. The investigated adsorbents were the polystyrene–divinylbenzene materials LiChrolut EN from Merck, Isolute ENV+ from International Sorbent Technology, HR-P from Macherey–Nagel and the new Oasis HLB poly(divinylbenzene-co-N-vinylpyrrolidone) copolymer from Waters. Different SPE parameters like the elution solvent and the drying step of the cartridges were optimized. Analyses were performed by capillary zone electrophoresis–UV absorbance detection (CZE–UV) and ion-pair liquid chromatography–diode array UV detection coupled in series with electrospray mass spectrometry (IP-LC–DAD-ESI-MS) in the negative ionization mode. LC–MS offers a higher separation efficiency than CZE. The best adsorbents were LiChrolut EN and HR-P followed by Isolute ENV+ and Oasis HLB. The recoveries for most of the onefold negatively charged aromatic sulfonates were >50% for the extraction from spiked ground water at 50 μg/l. Recoveries for LiChrolut EN and HR-P were approximately 20% higher than for Isolute ENV+. Very hydrophilic sulfonates containing more than one negative sulfonate group could not be extracted by any of the tested adsorbents.