Simultaneous determination of butyltin and phenyltin species in sediments using ultrasound-assisted leaching

A fast and simple procedure is presented for the simultaneous leaching of butyl (mono, di and tributyl) and phenyl organotin species from sediment samples. Leached compounds are further ethylated with sodium tetraethylborate in aqueous medium, and analyzed by gas chromatography. After testing the stability of triphenyltin under different extraction conditions, ultrasound-assisted leaching at room temperature in the presence of acetic acid was been proposed as an extraction procedure compatible with the simultaneous determination of phenyl- and butyltin compounds in sediments. Recoveries between 70 and 90% were obtained for phenyl species in spiked samples prepared in the laboratory. Results for butyltin species were validated by use of the reference material PACS-2. Quantification limits, using GC-MIP-AES as measurement technique, were approximately 5-10 ng g(-1). Precision in the consecutive analysis of three sediment samples varied between 3 and 10%.     

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.     

Simultaneous determination of butyltin and phenyltin species in sediments using ultrasound-assisted leaching

A fast and simple procedure is presented for the simultaneous leaching of butyl (mono, di and tributyl) and phenyl organotin species from sediment samples. Leached compounds are further ethylated with sodium tetraethylborate in aqueous medium, and analyzed by gas chromatography. After testing the stability of triphenyltin under different extraction conditions, ultrasound-assisted leaching at room temperature in the presence of acetic acid was been proposed as an extraction procedure compatible with the simultaneous determination of phenyl- and butyltin compounds in sediments. Recoveries between 70 and 90% were obtained for phenyl species in spiked samples prepared in the laboratory. Results for butyltin species were validated by use of the reference material PACS-2. Quantification limits, using GC–MIP–AES as measurement technique, were approximately 5–10 ng g^–1. Precision in the consecutive analysis of three sediment samples varied between 3 and 10%. Received: 16 January 2001 / Revised: 12 March 2001 / Accepted: 13 April 2001     

Applicability of solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography atomic emission detection (GC-MIP AED) for the determination of butyltin compounds in sediment samples

The performance of solid-phase microextraction (SPME) applied to the determination of butyltin compounds in sediment samples is systematically evaluated. Matrix effects and influence of blank signals on the detection limits of the method are studied in detail. The interval of linear response is also evaluated in order to assess the applicability of the method to sediments polluted with butyltin compounds over a large range of concentrations. Advantages and drawbacks of including an SPME step, instead of the classic liquid–liquid extraction of the derivatized analytes, in the determination of butyltin compounds in sediment samples are considered in terms of achieved detection limits and experimental effort. Analytes were extracted from the samples by sonication using glacial acetic acid. An aliquot of the centrifuged extract was placed on a vial where compounds were ethylated and concentrated on a PDMS fiber using the headspace mode. Determinations were carried out using GC-MIP AED.     

Speciation of butyltin compounds in marine sediments by preconcentration on C60 and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A new method for the speciation of butyltin compounds by solid phase extraction and direct injection using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) is described. The compounds were complexed with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate and retained on a C60 sorbent column. The neutral chelates of butyltin compounds were eluted with ethyl acetate containing NaBPr4 as derivatising reagent. The main analytical figures of merit of the proposed method for 10 ml of sample are: linear range 0.2-35 ng/g expressed as Sn; limits of detection, 0.07, 0.09 and 0.10 ng/g as Sn for monobutyltin, dibutyltin and tributyltin, respectively. No interferences from metal ions such as Zn2+, Fe3+, Sb3t, Pb2+, Ni2+ and Mn2+ were observed in the determination of organotin compounds. The validation of method was performed out by the analysis of a standard reference sediment (CRM 462). The method was also applied to the determination of butyltin compounds in marine sediment samples.     

Isotope dilution analysis as a definitive tool for the speciation of organotin compounds

Different spike solutions available for the determination of butyltin compounds by isotope dilution analysis are described and applied for the determination of butyltin compounds in PACS-2 certified reference material. Additionally, those spike solutions were evaluated during the course of an interlaboratory exercise organised by the National Research Council of Canada and the Laboratory of the Government Chemist (UK) in order to quantify tributyltin in a pilot sediment. The aim of this project was to evaluate the capabilities of isotope dilution mass spectrometry to reduce the uncertainty in the certification of Reference Materials for the speciation of organotin compounds. All participants were supplied with a 17Sn-enriched TBT solution from the Laboratory of the Government Chemist (UK). In our case, we performed the analysis of the pilot sediment also using a 119Sn enriched spike (mixed mono-, di- and tributyltin) and a 118Sn-119Sn double spike. The use of these additional spike solutions not only allowed the determination of monobutyltin and dibutyltin in the pilot sediment but also the evaluation and correction of possible extraction-derived rearrangement reactions. An excellent agreement amongst our results and between the participants was obtained with a precision of 8.4% RSD at a level of ca. 80 ng TBT g(-1) (as Sn).     

Development of a simple desulfurization procedure for the determination of butyltins in complex sediment samples using gas chromatography-pulsed flame photometric detection

In this study a rapid solid phase extraction (SPE) procedure was developed to minimize the effect of different sulfur species for the determination of butyltin in sediments. The organosulfur species and organotins were firstly retained on C8 cartridges and then organotins were selectively eluted and analyzed by gas chromatography-pulsed flame photometric detection (GC-PFPD). Optimal conditions for the SPE procedure were obtained using an experimental design approach. The method's accuracy was established by analyzing a certified reference material (CRM), BCR-646 freshwater sediment. The experimental values were found to be in agreement with the assigned values for butyltins. Finally, complex sediment samples collected from a Chilean harbor were analyzed using this methodology to demonstrate its analytical potential for the determination of butyltin in environmental samples.     

Simultaneous determination of monomethylmercury, monobutyltin, dibutyltin and tributyltin in environmental samples by multi-elemental-species-specific isotope dilution analysis using electron ionisation GC-MS

In this work, the simultaneous determination of four organometallic species (monomethylmercury, monobutyltin, dibutyltin and tributyltin) in environmental samples by using a GC-MS system with electron ionisation has been established. The measurement of isotope ratios in each species was accomplished by selecting the most adequate molecular cluster, and simple mathematical equations were applied to correct the contributions of 13C from the organic groups attached to the tin and mercury atoms. The influence of different parameters such as dwell time on the precision and accuracy of the measured isotope ratios in each target species has also been studied. The determination and the sample preparation procedures presented in this work were first individually validated by analysing several certified reference materials for butyltin compounds (mussel tissue CRM-477 and marine sediment SOPH-1) and for monomethylmercury (tuna fish CRM-464) using an innovative focused microwave technology for the extraction of the species from the solid samples. Additionally, the simultaneous determination of the four species was successfully validated by obtaining quantitative recoveries in spiked natural waters and by analysing the certified reference material BCR-710 (certified in tributyltin and monomethylmercury). The values obtained in such certified tissue were fully in agreement not only with the certified mass fractions but also with the proposed indicative values for mono- and dibutyltin.     

Speciation of butyltin compounds in marine sediments with headspace solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography – mass spectrometry

A method for the determination of organotin compounds (monobutyl = MBT, dibutyl = DBT, and tributyltin = TBT) in marine sediments by headspace Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) has been developed. The analytical procedure involved 1) extraction of TBT, DBT and MBT from sediments with HCl and methanol mixture, 2) in situ derivatization with sodium tetraethylborate and 3) headspace SPME extraction using a fiber coated with poly(dimethylsiloxane). The derivatized organotin compounds were desorbed into the splitless injector and simultaneously analyzed by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry. The analytical method was optimized with respect to derivatization reaction and extraction conditions. The detection limits obtained for MBT, DBT and TBT ranged from 730 to 969 pg/g as Sn dry weight. Linear calibration curves were obtained for all analytes in the range of 30–1000 ng/L as Sn. Analysis of a standard reference sediment (CRM 462) demonstrates the suitability of this method for the determination of butyltin compounds in marine sediments. The application to the determination of TBT, DBT and MBT in a coastal marine sediment is shown.     

Speciation of butyltin compounds in marine sediments with headspace solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography mass spectrometry

A method for the determination of organotin compounds (monobutyl = MBT, dibutyl = DBT, and tributyltin = TBT) in marine sediments by headspace Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) has been developed. The analytical procedure involved 1) extraction of TBT, DBT and MBT from sediments with HCl and methanol mixture, 2) in situ derivatization with sodium tetraethylborate and 3) headspace SPME extraction using a fiber coated with poly(dimethylsiloxane). The derivatized organotin compounds were desorbed into the splitless injector and simultaneously analyzed by gas chromatography - mass spectrometry. The analytical method was optimized with respect to derivatization reaction and extraction conditions. The detection limits obtained for MBT, DBT and TBT ranged from 730 to 969 pg/g as Sn dry weight. Linear calibration curves were obtained for all analytes in the range of 30-1000 ng/L as Sn. Analysis of a standard reference sediment (CRM 462) demonstrates the suitability of this method for the determination of butyltin compounds in marine sediments. The application to the determination of TBT, DBT and MBT in a coastal marine sediment is shown.     

Determination of butyltin compounds in sediments using an improved aqueous ethylation method

We have determined tributyltin and dibutyltin species in various environmental sediment samples (marine, harbour and river sediment) using the in situ aqueous ethylation-gas chromatography-atomic absorption spectrometry method subsequent to extraction by methanol containing O.5M HCl. The present technique provides a significantly lower detection limit than previous methods, so that tributyltin can for the first time be measured in some of the samples. Thus, the method described is well suited for the determination of tributyltin and dibutyltin compounds in sediments with low levels of butyltin species (e.g., Main River, 1.7 ng of tributyltin as Sn/g dry sediment).     

Speciation Analysis of Organotin Compounds by Headspace Solid Phase Microextraction and Gas Chromatography-Flame Photometric Detector using Quartz Surface-induced Tin Emission

The growing concern about the fate of organotin in the environment created an imperative need for the development of faster, more sensitive and reliable methods for speciation analysis of organotin compounds. A novel method has been developed in our laboratory for the extraction and determination of butyltin species in water by solid phase microextraction (SPME) combined with capillary gas chromatography-flame photometric detector(GC-FPD).     

Determination of Butyltin Compounds in Mussel Samples: A Comparative Study of Analytical Procedures

Three different sample pretreatment methods (methanolic HCl with or without tropolone and enzymic extraction) and two final determination procedures (GC–MS and GC–QFAAS) have been applied independently to the determination of butyltin compounds in two mussel samples polluted at different levels. The results obtained validate the sample storage and transport conditions as well as the analytical procedures.     

Projects for the improvement of the quality of chemical speciation analyses in environmental matrices

Summary The release of organometallic compounds and other chemical forms of elements in the environment has caused great concern because of their possible high toxicity. To validate the analytical techniques, the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) has undertaken a series of projects for the improvement of the quality of determinations of chemical species in environmental matrices. The implementation of these projects follows a stepwise approach involving intercomparisons to detect and remove sources of errors in different phases of the analytical methods and the certification of the compounds in various matrices. The current projects deal with the determination of the extractable content of trace metals in soils (single extraction) and sediment (sequential extraction), forms of aluminium in water, elements with different oxidation states (e.g. As, Cr and Se) and organic forms (e.g. methylated forms of As in solution, methyl-mercury in fish, arseno-betaine and -choline in solutions, triethyl- and trimethyl-Pb compounds in solution, and butyltin compounds in sediment).Abbreviations AAS atomic absorption spectrometry - CVAAS cold vapour AAS - DPP differential pulse polarography - ECD electron capture detector - ETAAS electrothermal AAS - FIA flow injection analysis - FID flame ionisation detector - FLUOR spectrofluorimetry - FPD flame photometric detector - GC gas chromatography - HG hydride generation - HPLC high performance liquid chromatography - HPLC-AES HPLC atomic emission spectrometry - INAA instrumental neutron activation analysis - ICPAES Inductively coupled plasma AES - MS mass spectrometry - QFAAS quartz furnace AAS - RNAA neutron activation analysis with radiochemical separation     

Determination of butyltin compounds in environmental samples by isotope-dilution GC–ICP–MS

Isotope-dilution analysis in combination with GC-ICP-MS detection has been applied to the determination of butyltin species in environmental samples. Different spikes containing the isotopically labeled butyltin species have been synthesized in the laboratory after optimization of the reaction conditions. The isotopic compositions of the tin species in the different spike solutions were determined by GC-ICP-MS after derivatization by aqueous ethylation with sodium tetraethylborate. Reverse isotope-dilution analysis was used for quantitation of the spike solutions by means of natural MBT, DBT, and TBT standards. The mixed spikes were used for simultaneous analysis of MBT, DBT and TBT in the certified reference materials, PACS-2, CRM 462, and CRM 646, with satisfactory results. The excellent agreement of the different speciation results obtained by use of the different spikes is a good indicator of the precision, accuracy, and reliability which can be achieved by using isotope-dilution analysis for trace metal speciation.Application of a double spike containing (119)Sn-enriched MBT (79.7 At%), (118)Sn-enriched DBT (86.7 At%), and (119)Sn-enriched TBT (83.1 At%) also enabled evaluation of the conditions resulting in quantitative extraction of the species from the solid matrix, in combination with possible alterations depending on the different extraction procedures used (mechanical shaking, ultrasounds, and microwaves). Mathematical equations used for this purpose computed the correct species concentrations directly and, additionally, the decomposition factors (from TBT to DBT and from DBT to MBT) after precise measurement of the (119)Sn/(120)Sn and (118)Sn/(120)Sn ratios for all butyltin species by GC-ICP-MS.     

Speciation of butyltin compounds in oyster samples

Experimental instrumentation for the speciation of butyltin compounds by hydride generation and gas chromatography-quartz furnace atomic absorption spectrometry is described. Evaluation of a number of extraction methods revealed that simple acid leaching of oyster samples gave adequate recoveries. The levels of each butyltin species in oyster flesh and gill are reported together with the tentative identification of a mixed methylbutyltin compound.     

Determination of Trace Butyltin Compounds in Sea Water by Gas Chromatography-Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

A gas chromatography-atomic absorption spectrometric (GC-AAS) method has been developed for the determination of trace butyltin compounds in sea water. Aqueous butyltin compounds were reduced to the volatile hydride forms by NaBH₄ and were extracted with dichloromethane simultaneously. The dichloromethane extract was concentrated under reduced pressure, followed by direct injection into the GC-AAS system for analysis. The butyltin species were separated with a 2-m glass column packed with 2% OV-101 on Chromosorb G HP (100-120 mesh). Following GC separation, each species was transferred into an electrothermally heated (800 °C) quartz furnace for atomization. The tin atoms produced from individual butyltin compound were detected at 224.6 nm by an atomic absorption spectrometer. With a sea water sample (1 L), the detection limits (3σ) for monobutyltin, dibutyltin and tributyltin were approximately 20, 20 and 70 ng Sn L^?1, respectively. The method has been applied to the analysis of trace butyltin compounds in the sea water of Keelung Harbor.     

Species-specific isotope dilution analysis of mono-, di,and tri-butyltin compounds in sediment using gas chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with synthesized 118Sn-enriched butyltins

A species-specific isotope dilution (ID) method is described for the determination of mono-, di, and tri-butyltin compounds in sediment by gas chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (GC-ICP-MS), where the mixture of 118Sn-enriched butyltin compounds synthesized in our laboratory was used as a spike. A correction method for the mass bias, a quantitative extraction of the butyltins from sediment, and an assay for the concentration of the standard solution for the reverse ID procedure were investigated to achieve a reliable ID analysis. The spike solution was added with tri-propyltin (TPrT), and the butyltins were extracted by mechanical shaking into acetic acid-tropolone-toluene. The extracted butyltins were ethylated with sodium tetraethylborate and measured by GC-ICP-MS. The mass bias correction factor for the butyltins was calculated with the measured area ratio of 120Sn/118Sn of TPrT in each chromatographic run, and the correction was carried out. The mass bias was well corrected with this in-run correction (the standard uncertainties of the corrected 120Sn/118Sn for the butyltins were in the range 0.03-0.45%, typically 0.25%, with triplicate measurement corresponding to 0.02-0.37% mass bias). The extraction efficiency of mono-butyltin (MBT) from sediment was improved by using tropolone-toluene as the solvent. Well-defined standard solutions for the reverse-ID procedure could be obtained by an assay for the purities of the natural abundance butyltin chloride reagents used for preparing the standard solutions. Overall uncertainties associated with the present method were estimated, where the sediment certified reference materials, PACS-2 and BCR 646, were analyzed. The uncertainty arising from the extraction was the main contributor to the overall uncertainties for MBT and di-butyltin (DBT) determinations, while with the case of tri-butyltin (TBT) determination the uncertainties arising from the purity of TBT chloride reagent used for preparing the standard solution was a large contributor to the overall uncertainties although the uncertainty arising from the extraction was also a main contributor. The analytical results of MBT, DBT, and TBT in both reference materials, except for MBT results in PACS-2, were in good agreement with the certified values in each. The result of MBT in PACS-2 (0.677 +/- 0.049 microg g(-1) as tin, mean +/- expanded uncertainty) was significantly higher than the certified value (0.45 +/- 0.05 microg g(-1)), but closely matched with the lately reported values (Rajendran, Tao, Nakazato and Miyazaki, Analyst, 2000, 125, 1757: 0.62 +/- 0.02 microg g(-1); Chiron, Roy, Cottier and Jeannot, J. Chromatogr. A, 2000, 879, 137: 0.634 +/- 0.082 microg g(-1); Alonso, Encinar, Gonzalez and Sanz-Medal, Anal. Bioanal. Chem., 2002, 373, 432: 0.64 +/- 0.04 microg g(-1). The present method is concluded to be reliable for the determination of MBT, DBT, and TBT in sediment.     

Determination of butyltin species in sewage and sludge by gas chromatography-atomic absorption spectrometry.

A method for the extraction and determination of butyltin compounds in sewage and sludge is reported. Sewage and sludge samples are acidified and shaken for 2 h. The various butyltin species are extracted quantitatively by tropolone (cycloheptatrienone) in toluene, followed by ethylation to their tetraalkyl-substituted forms, BuSnEt3, Bu2SnEt2, Bu3SnEt and Et4Sn, all of which can be separated and determined by a gas chromatographic-atomic absorption spectrometric technique. The non-pesticidal octyltin species and acid-leachable SnIV species can also be determined by this method. Detection limits expressed as Sn are 40 ng dm-3 and 2 ng g-1 dry mass for sewage and sludge, respectively. Analyses of some samples from Canadian treatment plants are given.     

Multivariate optimization approach for the analysis of butyltin compounds in mussel tissues by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The derivatization with NaBEt(4) for the determination of butyltin compounds in mussel tissues (Mytilus galloprovincialis) by GC-MS was optimized using a central composite design. The effects of NaBEt(4) concentration, pH and acetate buffer concentration on the derivatization efficiency were considered. Solid-phase extraction with Florisil cartridges was performed, demonstrating that the clean-up drastically reduces the background and improves the sensitivity. The good accuracy of the method was verified on a certified reference material (ERM 477); the figures of merit for all the three analytes, evaluated under optimum conditions, were satisfactory. The optimized derivatization procedure was applied to the determination of the analytes in mussels exposed to tributyltin (TBT). All considered tissues showed considerable accumulation of TBT, especially gills.