Methodical approach for the use of GC-TOF MS for screening and confirmation of organic pollutants in environmental water

The potential of gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF MS) for the screening of organic pollutants in water was explored. After a conventional SPE step with C(18) cartridges, the comparison of spectra with available libraries together with an evaluation of the mass accuracy was the first approach used for the screening and confirmation of target analytes. However, at low analyte concentrations (i.e. below 0.1 microg/l), this procedure was not feasible and the use of the application manager TargetLynx was evaluated. This application allows the selection of up to five representative ions per analyte, measured with high mass accuracy, and their intensity ratio evaluation. Ion selection, extraction mass window and concentration levels were found to be the critical parameters. The reference compound used as 'lock mass' was also found to affect to the quality of information obtained in some particular cases.Full spectral acquisition data generated by the TOF MS analyzer allowed investigation of the presence of several analytes in samples in a post-target style, without the need of reanalyze the water samples.Finally, a methodical approach was established for the reliable screening and confirmation of organic pollutants (PAHs, pesticides, octyl/nonyl phenols) in real-world samples, which led to satisfactory results of approximately 0.1 microg/l.     

Quantification and confirmation of priority organic micropollutants in water by LC-tandem mass spectrometry

Liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry with a triple quadrupole analyser was used to determine selected (medium) polar organic pollutants—isoproturon, diuron and pentachlorophenol, as the herbicides simazine, atrazine, terbuthilazine, alachlor, and metolachlor—in treated water from urban solid-waste leachates. Two millilitres of water was preconcentrated by on-line trace enrichment (solid-phase extraction liquid chromatography) which allowed rapid analysis, but still with a satisfactory sensitivity, as the limits of quantification were 0.05?µg?L^?1, while the limits of detection were in the range of 0.001–0.01?µg?L^?1. Confirmation of the identity of compounds was ensured by the use of two tandem mass spectrometry transitions. Moreover, a study of matrix effects was thoroughly investigated by applying the developed procedure to different ground and surface waters. A simple dilution of the water sample with high-performance-liquid-chromatography-grade water was sufficient to minimize and/or remove this undesirable effect in all water samples tested, this approach being feasible due to the excellent sensitivity of the method.     

Direct LC analysis of selected priority pollutants in water at ppb levels

Thirty-two priority pollutants can be analyzed in water with detection limits of 10 ppb by direct liquid chromatography. High sensitivity is obtained by use of an ultra-violet detector at 202 nm and a reverse phase C₁₈ column with a water-acetonitrile gradient that is compatible with two milliliter water samples.     

新型水蒸气顶空富集装置在饮用水中痕量挥发性有机物非目标筛查中的应用

以饮用水中痕量挥发性有机物(VOCs)非目标筛查为目的,构建了一种新型的大体积水样高倍富集装置。对其精馏管长度、回收冷凝液体积、吸收介质等影响富集效果的关键因素进行了优化。该装置以水蒸气为吹扫气,同时以水作为吸收剂,将1 L水样富集浓缩至5 mL后,可使原有吹扫捕集-气相色谱-质谱法(P&;T-GC-MS)分析VOCs的灵敏度提高1～2个数量级。用该方法对某净水厂的源水与出厂水进行了痕量VOCs的定性分析与比较。与传统P&;T-GC-MS方法相比,本方法对两种水样的污染物检出数目由原来的无检出和5种分别提高至16种和35种。分析结果表明饮用水消毒前后污染物的种类及含量存在显著差异。     

Determination of volatile priority pollutants in water by purge and trap and capillary column gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Two wide-bore capillary columns are evaluated for their applicability to the purge-and-trap technique and GC/MS analysis of 34 volatile organics. Neither column is able to completely resolve all 34 compounds, as is also typical of the packed column; however, the analysis is faster than with the packed column (18 to 21 min compared to 30 min), and the column effluent is introduced directly into the mass spectrometer without requiring an open-split interface. Method precision, as assessed from the instrument response at a concentration of 50 micrograms/L per component, is better than +/- 5% for 41% of the compounds using the VOCOL column (diphenyl dimethyl polysiloxane with crosslinking moieties) and for 53% of the compounds using the 007 column (95% methyl 5% phenyl silicone). The instrument response is linear from 20 to 200 micrograms/L for most compounds, and the amounts loaded to either column without serious distortion of the peak shape or resolution can be as high as 5 micrograms per component. Because the VOCOL column resolved more compounds than the 007 column within approximately the same analysis time, this column is further tested for performance with groundwater samples.     

Modeling the adsorption kinetics of some priority organic pollutants in water from diffusion and activation energy parameters

The kinetic aspects of adsorption of some priority organic pollutants, viz., phenol (hydroxybenzene), o-hydroxyphenol (1,2-dihydroxybenzene), m-hydroxyphenol (1,3-dihydroxybenzene), and 4-nitrophenol (1-hydroxy-4-nitrobenzene), on fly ash have been studied. The process is found to be of complex nature consisting of both surface adsorption and pore diffusion, the extent being estimated from the diffusion coefficient value. Activation parameter data for the ultimate adsorption as well as the pore diffusion are also evaluated. The data indicate that in the studied solute concentration range, external transport mainly governs the rate-limiting process.     

An evaluation of solid-phase microextraction for analysis of volatile organic compounds in drinking water

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) has been applied to the quantitative analysis of 60 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in drinking water. Equilibration curves for the partitioning of the VOCs between the fiber coating and fortified water obtained at 20, 50, and 80 °C are found between the theoretical curves for completely agitated and non-agitated samples. Two important factors for the amount adsorbed by the SPME fiber coating are the extraction time and the fiber coating/water distribution coefficient, K_FW . Both depend on the sample temperature, but in a counteracting manner: Increasing the temperature shortened the equilibration times, especially for the heavier VOCs, but also lead to lower K_FW values, and consequently a lower sensitivity of the method. K_FW values are determined for 33 of the VOCs at 40, 60, and 80°C and the heats of adsorption,–ΔH, are calculated. The nature of the adsorption is found to be exothermic which explains the decreasing sensitivity of the method with increasing temperature. Detection limits were typically from 20 ng/l to 200 ng/l, except for the very light VOCs with which detection difficulties were encountered. For all of the VOCs the linear range extended from the lowest concentration at which they were actually detected to at least 5 mg/l. The precision, 3% average standard deviation when an internal standard was used, was satisfactory for most quantitative routine analysis. SPME was also applied to head-space (HS) analysis of drinking water through the coupled equilibrium between water/head-space/fiber coating. HS-SPME is demonstrated to have shorter equilibration times than SPME directly from the water and equal sensitivities, except for the very light VOCs. Water samples from a drinking water plant contaminated in the low μg/l range with 1,1,1-trichloroethane, trichloroethene and tetrachloroethene were analyzed. There seems to be a reasonable agreement between results obtained by SPME and purge & trap. It is concluded that SPME has a great potential for drinking water analysis.     

气质联用法测定饮用水中29种挥发性有机物

挥发性有机物(VOCs)具有高挥发性、类脂物可溶性、易被皮肤、粘膜吸收等特点,对环境和人体有较大的影响和危害.新<生活饮用水卫生标准>(GB/T 5749-2006)[1]中VOCs的检测项目从原来的2项增加到25项.顶空气相色谱是过去测定水中VOCs的常用方法,但该法灵敏度较低,不适于数十种挥发性有机物同时检测[2].新技术吹扫捕集-气质联用法(P&T-GC-MS)能同时分析测定多种物质,前处理方式也较简便,因此成为测定水中VOCs的推荐方法[3-6].     

Matrix effects of leachates in the determination of volatile priority pollutants by headspace analysis

Summary In order to investigate the matrix effects of a hazardous waste landfill leachate in the analysis of priority pollutants by headspace gas chromatography, spiking experiments were performed (a) with the untreated leachate, (b) with the leachate after separation of oil and (c) with blanc water samples as a reference. A standard mixture containing volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons, benzene and alkylated benzenes (100–200 g) were spiked into 50 ml-samples of (a)–(c). The samples were thermostated at 40°C for 20 min and analyzed by headspace GC. Serious matrix effects were observed for all reference compounds, resulting in significant enhancement or depression of the corresponding peak areas compared with the spiked water control samples. The data sets are discussed with respect to the contents of leachate oil and chloride. From the findings of this study, recommendations for the application of headspace analysis to leachates are given.     

Recent methods for the determination of volatile and non-volatile organic compounds in natural and purified drinking water

Four analytical protocols for the extraction and preconcentration of organic residues in natural or purified drinking water were investigated and compared: closed loop stripping analysis; simultaneous extraction-distillation; purge and trap analysis; continuous liquid-liquid extraction. Organic extracts were submitted to a variety of separation and identification techniques. Volatiles were determined by conventional capillary column gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, using triple-stage quadrupole instruments. Non-volatile and thermally labile molecules were investigated by several different techniques (high-temperature gas chromatography, capillary column supercritical fluid chromatography, pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, thermospray liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry and conventional fast-atom bombardment with tandem mass spectrometry). Several samples recently examined in the laboratory provide examples of this multitechnique approach for a more complete knowledge of the organic carbon distribution in water-dissolved organic matter, taking into account organic substances with widely different volatilities, polarities and thermal stabilities.     

Concentration and determination of trace organic pollutants in water

Organic pollutants in water are isolated on a mini-sampler tube containing a macroporous resin. The sorbed pollutants are next thermally transferred to a second sorption tube and then to an analytical column where they are separated and determined by temperature-programmed gas chromatography. Excellent recoveries were obtained for tests in which model organic compounds of various classes were added to water. The water sample is much smaller than that required with previous analytical methods.     

水环境介质中有机污染物微观分布的理论模型——污染物·水复合体·水簇模型

以水簇模拟水环境介质, 水体中有机污染物的分子状态用水-有机污染物分子复合体模拟,得出有机污染物在水环境介质中微观分布的数学表达式, 经过微观动力学方法处理, 得到了相应的数学解析式.用 ab initio 方法 STO-3G 基组计算了4个多环芳烃在水中的微观分布情况, 计算结果与辛醇-水分配系数的实验值相吻合.     

水环境介质中有机污染物微观分布的理论模型：污染物.水复合体 …

以水簇模拟水环境介质,水体中有机污染物的分子状态用水－有机污染物分子复合体模拟,得出有机污染物在水环境介质中微观分布的数学表达式,经过微观动力学方法处理,得到了相应的数学解析式。用ａｂ ｉｎｉｔｉｏ方法ＳＴＯ－３Ｇ基组计算了４个多环芳烃在水中的微观分布情况,计算结果与辛醇－水分配系数的实验值相吻合。     

Determination of total carbon and total organic carbon from volatile air pollutants

Summary The method developed based on the determination of TC and TOC in the form of the total amount of CO₂ requires application of the proper techniques for the final determination of CO₂. The possibility of using a stream of carrier gas at a convenient flow-rate for desorbing quantitatively CO₂ concentrated on a molecular sieve permits use of a wide variety of known analytical techniques for the final determination of CO₂. Various methods were compared on the basis of both absolute and calibration measurements. The absolute methods chosen were gravimetric (classical or an automated version based on application of a gravimetric automat and automatic recording balance), thermogravimetric analysis and coulometry. The calibration methods included thermal conductivity, the flame-ionization detector (after conversion of CO₂ into methane) and infrared absorption. Usefulness of the methods was evaluated on the basis of comparative statistical analysis of experimental data with respect to precision (Snedecor'sF-test and Bartlett'sU ²-test) and accuracy (Student'st-test).

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Zusammenfassung Das entwickelte Verfahren zur Bestimmung des TC- und TOC-Gehaltes in Form der gesamten Menge CO₂ erfordert die Anwendung geeigneter Analysentechniken zur Endbestimmung dieser Verbindung. Die Möglichkeit einer Desorption des am Molekularsieb angereicherten CO₂ in einem Gasstrom mit geeignetem Durchfluß erlaubt zur Endbestimmung von CO₂ die Anwendung einer Reihe verschiedener Analysenverfahren. Die Anwendbarkeit verschiedener, auf Absolutverfahren und auch auf relativen Messungen beruhender Methoden wurde vergleichend untersucht. Die folgenden Methoden zur CO₂-Bestimmung wurden gewählt: die Gravimetrie (klassische oder automatisierte unter Einsatz eines Wägeautomaten und einer registrierenden Waage), die Thermogravimetrie und die Coulometrie. Von den relativen Methoden wurden die Thermokonduktometrie, der Flammenionisationsdetektor (nach Umsetzung von CO₂ zu Methan) und das IR-Absorptionsmeßverfahren geprüft. Die Anwendbarkeit der Methoden wurde mit Hilfe statistischer Prüfverfahren beurteilt, wobei die Präzision (SnedecorsF-Test und BartlettsU ²-Test) und die Genauigkeit (Studentst-Test) der erhaltenen Analysenwerte verglichen wurden.

     

An organic solvent-free microwave-assisted extraction of some priority pollutants of phenols in lake sediments.

Alkaline water was used for the microwave-assisted extraction of some priority pollutants of phenols in sediments, i.e. phenol (Ph), 2-chlorophenol (2CP), 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4DCP), 4-chlorophenol (4CP), 4-dinitrophenol (4NP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP). This organic solvent-free extraction procedure was optimized by studying the parameters such as pH, volume of the alkaline water, extraction pressure and time. Under the optimized conditions, the recoveries of phenols were in the range of 80% to 110%. The extracts were then cleaned-up and concentrated by microcolumn solid phase extraction (SPE) and determined by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection system. The relative standard deviation of the overall-method for most phenol determinations was about 5.0% (n = 6). The proposed method, which needs little volume (1 mL) of ethanol for SPE, has been applied to determine these phenols in sediment samples, and the analytical results are in good agreement with those achieved by Soxhlet extraction.