Investigation of photodegradation products generated after UV-irradiation of five polybrominated diphenyl ethers using photo solid-phase microextraction

In this study, the photoinduced degradation of five polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), BDE-47, BDE-100, BDE-99, BDE-154 and BDE-153, is studied using solid-phase microextraction polydimethylsiloxane fibers as photolytic support. PBDEs are extracted from aqueous solutions using SPME fibers that are subsequently exposed to UV irradiation for different times (from 2 to 60 min). Photodegradation kinetics of the five PBDEs, tentative identification and photochemical behavior of the generated photoproducts, as well as photodegradation pathways, have been studied employing this on-fiber approach technique (photo-SPME) followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Aqueous photodegradation studies have also been performed and compared with photo-SPME. All the photoproducts detected in the aqueous experiments were previously found in the photo-SPME experiments. In this study, reductive debromination by successive losses of bromine atoms is confirmed as the main photodegradation pathway of PBDEs. A large number of PBDEs were obtained as photoproducts of the five target analytes. Other mechanism of photodegradation observed was intramolecular cyclization from the homolytic dissociation of the C-Br bond; thus, polybromo-dibenzofurans were generated. This work contributes to the study of the photodegradation of PBDEs and shows the potential of photo-SPME to evaluate the photo-transformation of organic pollutants.     

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography of polybrominated diphenyl ethers

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with micro electron-capture detection (GCxGC-muECD) was evaluated for the separation of 125 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). From among the six column combinations that were evaluated, DB-1x007-65HT was found to be the most suitable because of: (i) the highest number of BDE congeners separated; (ii) the least decomposition of higher brominated congeners; and (iii) the most suitable maximum operating temperature. The separation of the 125 BDE congeners from five hydroxy- and two methoxy-BDEs and nine other brominated flame retardants (polybrominated biphenyls, tetrabromobisphenol-A, methyl-tetrabromobisphenol-A and hexabromocyclododecane) was also studied. Fluorinated BDEs were found to be valuable internal standards for the determination of BDEs because of their very similar physico-chemical properties and excellent separation from the parent BDEs, mainly in the second dimension. GCxGC-time-of-flight MS and GCxGC-muECD were shown to be useful tools to identify decomposition products of nona- and deca-substituted BDEs, which are formed during the GC run. Three nona-BDEs were shown to be the major decomposition products of BDE 209.     

Theoretical Study on the Photodegradation Mechanism of Nona‐BDEs in Methanol

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have received special environmental concern due to their potential toxicity to humans and wildlife worldwide, however, it is difficult to reveal their dominant photochemical degradation pathways by experiment. We explored the reaction mechanisms of photochemical degradation–debromination of three nona‐BDEs in methanol using theoretical calculations, in which time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) combined with the polarizable continuum (PCM) model is applied. The selectivity of debromination was studied, and the major octa‐BDE products photochemically debrominated from nona‐BDEs were identified. We find that the debromination reaction results from the electronic transitions from π to σ* orbitals when nona‐BDEs are exposed to UV‐light in the sunlight region, at which point the two low‐lying excited states for each nona‐BDE are πσ*(5Br) and πσ*(4Br), which correlate to the σ* orbitals located on the penta‐Br and tetra‐Br substituted phenyls, respectively. Our calculations indicate that each nona‐BDE may degrade to form three kinds of octa‐BDE products via the πσ*(5Br) state, whereas only one kind of octa‐BDEs can be formed via the πσ*(4Br) state. Our calculations can interpret the recent experiments successfully.     

Retention-time database of 126 polybrominated diphenyl ether congeners and two bromkal technical mixtures on seven capillary gas chromatographic columns

The elution order of 126 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) was determined for seven different gas chromatographic (GC) stationary phases. The resulting database facilitates selection of the most suitable GC columns for developing a quantitative, congener-specific BDE analysis and the testing of retention prediction algorithms based on structure relationships of GC phases and congener substitution patterns. In addition, co-elutions of the principal BDE congeners with other BDEs and/or with other brominated flame retardants were investigated and, as an application, the composition of two Bromkal mixtures (70-5DE and 79-8DE) was studied.     

Gas chromatographic peak identification for polybrominated diphenyl ethers under different temperature programs

A method has been developed for gas chromatographic peak recognition of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) under different temperature programs. On the basis of an identification database of retention parameters (A, B values) of gas chromatography and retention times of the selected internal standards, the retention times of BDEs can be accurately estimated. In comparison with the experimental retention values, the predicted retention times have been proved to be very accurate. In addition, owing to only a part of BDE analytical standards are available, using 40 BDEs as a training set, the quantitative relationship between retention parameters of BDEs and molecular connectivity indexes has been found. The correlation coefficients are greater than 0.997. The A, B values of all the remaining 169 BDE congeners have been predicted.     

Application of solid-phase microextraction to the study of the photochemical behaviour of five priority pesticides: "on-fiber" and aqueous photodegradation

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is applied to study the photochemical degradation of five priority pesticides: atrazine, alachlor, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin. Analyses were carried out by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The possibility of studying the photochemical degradation of the target compounds in solid-phase microextraction fibers, "photo-SPME", is evaluated employing different SPME coatings. The target analytes were extracted from aqueous solutions using different commercial coatings and then, the fibers were exposed to UV light. Results indicated that on-fiber photodegradation takes place in a considerably major extent using PDMS coating for an irradiation time of 30min. On-fiber photodegradation kinetics of each analyte were determined by UV irradiation of the PDMS for different times. A large number of photoproducts were generated and they were tentatively identified by means of their mass spectra and with the aid of literature. In this way, main photodegradation mechanisms could be postulated. Aqueous photodegradation studies followed by SPME were performed and compared with photo-SPME. All the photoproducts detected in the aqueous experiments were previously found in the photo-SPME experiments. This study shows the potential of photo-SPME to evaluate the photo-transformation of organic pollutants.     

Further research on the photo-SPME of triclosan

In this study the photoinduced degradation of triclosan has been investigated by photo-solid-phase microextraction (photo-SPME). In photo-SPME, photodegradation is carried out on the SPME fibre containing the target compound. Triclosan was extracted from aqueous solutions by use of polydimethylsiloxane SPME fibres and these were subsequently exposed to UV irradiation (power 8 W, wavelength 254 nm) for different times (from 2 to 60 min). The photodegradation kinetics of triclosan were investigated, the photoproducts generated were tentatively identified, and the photochemical behaviour of these products was studied by use of this on-fibre approach followed by gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric analysis. Eight photoproducts were tentatively identified, including chlorinated phenols, chlorohydroxydiphenyl ethers, 2,8-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, and a possible dichlorodibenzodioxin isomer or dichlorohydroxydibenzofuran. The main photodegradation mechanisms were postulated and photodegradation pathways proposed. The effect of pH on triclosan degradation and on triclosan-to-dioxin conversion was also investigated. Triclosan degradation occurred, and generation of 2,8-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin was confirmed, throughout the pH range studied (from 3 to 9).      

On-fiber photodegradation after solid-phase microextraction of p,p'-DDT and two of its major photoproducts,p,p'-DDE and p,p'-DDD

The potential of performing photochemical studies in solid phase microextraction (SPME) fibers, "photo-SPME", to study the photodegradation of p,p'-DDT and two of its major degradation products, p,p'-DDE and p,p'-DDD, is shown. Analyses were carried out by gas chromatography mass spectroscopy detection. DDT was extracted from aqueous solutions using five different commercial coatings. The fibers were then exposed to UV light emitted by a low-pressure mercury lamp. After 30 min of irradiation, the degradation of DDT only occurred in polydimethylsiloxane fibers. The on-fiber degradation kinetics of p,p'-DDT was studied from 2 to 60 min. A large number of photoproducts were generated and their kinetic behavior was studied. In order to clarify the possible photoreaction pathways for DDT, individual water solutions containing p,p'-DDD or p.p'-DDE were prepared and photo-SPME was performed for each compound at different irradiation times. On the basis of the photoproducts identified, some photodegradation pathways are proposed. Finally, aqueous photodegradation studies followed by SPME were performed and compared to the photo-SPME. This work will show the enormous potential of photo-SPME to perform photodegradation studies.     

Focused ultrasound solid–liquid extraction and gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry determination of brominated flame retardants in indoor dust

This study presents a focused ultrasound solid-liquid extraction (FUSLE) and gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of brominated diphenyl ethers (BDEs), from mono- to hexa-congeners, in indoor dust. This approach provided a simple, fast, and economical method. After the solvent extraction selection, the FUSLE conditions were studied using a central composite design. Finally, the number of extraction cycles was studied. The selected conditions were 8?mL of 3:1 n-hexane-acetone mixture as extraction solvent, at a power of 65% for 20?s. The proposed method allowed accurate determination of BDEs, with recovery values around 100% and detection limits between 0.05 and 0.8?ng?g(-1). It also has advantages over other existing methods in terms of simplicity, analysis time, and solvent consumption. The analysis of several indoor dust samples showed high concentration values of BDEs 47, 99, 100, 153, and 154 in some of the samples, moreover, BDEs 47 and 99 were found in all samples.     

Compound‐specific bromine isotope analysis of brominated diphenyl ethers using gas chromatography multiple collector/inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The bromine isotope composition is potentially diagnostic in both degradation monitoring and source apportionment of organobromines in the environment. A method for compound‐specific bromine isotope analysis (δ⁸¹Br) based on gas chromatography multiple collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (GC/ICPMS) was developed for common brominated diaromatic compounds. Brominated diphenyl ethers (BDEs) in Bromkal 70‐5DE, a technical flame‐retardant mixture containing mainly BDEs #47, #99 and #100, were used as test substances, with standard bracketing for the samples achieved through co‐injected monobromobenzene (MBB) with a known δ⁸¹Br of ?0.39‰ vs. Standard Mean Ocean Bromine (SMOBr). Three different heated transfer lines were constructed and tested to achieve efficient conduction of the BDEs from the gas chromatograph to the ICPMS instrument. The MBB was analyzed with a precision of 0.4‰ (1 s, n = 18). The precision for BDEs was 1.4–1.8‰ (1 s, n = 10–12 depending on the congener). The lower precision for the BDEs than for MBB may reflect the heat required to prevent condensation of the analytes in ICP torch assembly. The use of an internal standard of similar chemical structure to the analytes alleviates this problem, as illustrated by a difference of 0.3 ± 0.7‰ (1 s, n = 6) between the δ⁸¹Br values of co‐injected methoxy BDE‐47 and BDE‐47 extracted from whale blubber. Improvements in precision and accuracy may be achieved by the use of a more efficient heating of the torch assembly in conjunction with a set of internal standards that match the target compounds. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of the state-of-the-art measurement capabilities for selected PBDEs and decaBB in plastic by the international intercomparison CCQM-P114

An international intercomparison involving eight national metrology institutes (NMIs) was conducted to establish their current measurement capabilities for determining five selected congeners from the brominated flame retardant classes polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polybrominated biphenyls. A candidate reference material consisting of polypropylene fortified with technical mixtures of penta-, octa- and decabromo diphenyl ether and decabromo biphenyl, which was thoroughly assessed for material homogeneity and stability, was used as study material. The analytical procedures applied by the participants differed with regard to sample pre-treatment, extraction, clean-up, employed calibrants and type of calibration procedure as well as regarding analytical methods used for separation, identification and quantification of the flame retardant congeners (gas chromatography coupled to an electron capture detector (GC-ECD), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the electron ionisation mode (GC-EI-MS), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the electron capture negative ionisation mode (GC-ECNI-MS), and liquid chromatography-inductive coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LC-ICP-MS)). The laboratory means agreed well with relative standard deviations of the mean of means of 1.9%, 4.8%, 5.5% and 5.4% for brominated diphenyl ether (BDE) 47, 183 and 209 and for the brominated biphenyl (BB) congener 209, respectively. For BDE 206, a relative standard deviation of 28.5% was obtained. For all five congeners, within-laboratory relative standard deviations of six measurements obtained under intermediate precision conditions were between 1% and 10%, and reported expanded measurements uncertainties typically ranged from 4% to 10% (8% to 14% for BDE 206). Furthermore, the results are in good agreement with those obtained in the characterization exercise for determining certified values for the flame retardant congeners in the same material. The results demonstrate the state-of-the-art measurement capabilities of NMIs for quantifying representative BDE congeners and BB 209 in a polymer. The outcome of this intercomparison (pilot study) in conjunction with possible improvements for employing exclusively calibrants with thoroughly assessed purity suggests that a key comparison aiming at underpinning calibration and measurement capability (CMC) claims of NMIs can be conducted.

Environmental analysis of higher brominated diphenyl ethers and decabromodiphenyl ethane

Methods for environmental analysis of higher brominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), in particular decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE209), and the recently discovered environmental contaminant decabromodiphenyl ethane (deBDethane) are reviewed. The extensive literature on analysis of BDE209 has identified several critical issues, including contamination of the sample, degradation of the analyte during sample preparation and GC analysis, and the selection of appropriate detection methods and surrogate standards. The limited experience with the analysis of deBDethane suggests that there are many commonalities with BDE209. The experience garnered from the analysis of BDE209 over the last 15 years will greatly facilitate progress in the analysis of deBDethane.     

溴代二羟基硝基二苯醚类化合物的合成与抑菌活性研究

综合考虑二苯醚类杀菌剂结构与活性关系的前期研究结果, 以双羟基二苯醚为原料, 经酸酐保护、硝化、去保护得到含硝基的双羟基二苯醚, 再经过溴代反应合成了7个新的溴代2,2'-, 2,4'-和4,4'-二羟基硝基二苯醚; 所有这些化合物的结构均经¹H NMR, MS, IR和元素分析所证实; 并检测了合成的溴代二羟基硝基二苯醚化合物对两种有害菌的抑菌活性, 结果表明: 它们对所测试菌种具有优良的抑制效果, 其中3个化合物在质量分数为5×10^－6的浓度下抑菌率超过100%, 能完全控制细菌的生长.     

Photodegradation study of decabromodiphenyl ether by UV spectrophotometry and a hybrid hard- and soft-modelling approach

This work presents an exploratory study of the photochemical degradation process of decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE) and gives an interpretation of the kinetic pathway, species and effects of the key factors involved in the degradation process. Use of lowly brominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) has been banned by the EU and there seems to be evidence of the photolytic degradation of highly brominated PBDEs into lowly brominated congeners. Hence, the importance of knowing the photodegradation process of decaBDE.The photodegradation was investigated under UV light by UV-spectrophotometric monitoring. A novel hybrid data analysis approach, based on the combination of hard- and soft-spectrophotometric multivariate curve resolution, was applied to elucidate the mechanism of the degradation process, to resolve kinetic profiles and pure spectra of the photodegradation products and to evaluate the rate constants. The photodegradation process could be described with a kinetic model based on three consecutive first-order reactions and a decrease of the degradation process was observed as solvent polarity increased. Complementary identification of photodegradation products by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry using negative chemical ionization (GC-NCI-MS) is attempted.This work presents a novel attempt of describing in a comprehensive way the photochemical degradation process of decaBDE, with all successive steps and related rate constants. This study proves also the potential of the proposed hybrid data analysis methodology as a general strategy to interpret the evolution of these photochemical reactions.     

Recent developments in the analysis of brominated flame retardants and brominated natural compounds

This article reviews recent literature on the analysis of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and brominated natural compounds (BNCs). The main literature sources are reviews from the last five years and research articles reporting new analytical developments published between 2003 and 2006. Sample pretreatment, extraction, clean-up and fractionation, injection techniques, chromatographic separation, detection methods, quality control and method validation are discussed. Only few new techniques, such as solid-phase microextraction (SPME) or pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), have been investigated for their ability of combining the extraction and clean-up steps. With respect to the separation of BFRs, the most important developments were the use of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and the growing tendency for liquid-chromatographic techniques for hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) stereoisomers and of tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBP-A). At the detection stage, mass spectrometry (MS) has been developed as well-established and reliable technology in the identification and quantification of BFRs. A growing attention has been paid to quality assurance. Interlaboratory exercises directed towards BFRs have grown in popularity and have enabled laboratories to validate analytical methods and to guarantee the quality of their results. The analytical procedures used for the identification and characterization of several classes of BNCs, such as methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (MeO-PBDEs) (also metabolites of PBDEs), halogenated methyl or dimethyl bipyrroles (DBPs), are reviewed here for the first time. These compounds were generally identified during the routine analysis of BFRs and have received little attention until recently. For each topic, an overview is presented of its current status.     

DNA aptamers for selective identification and separation of flame retardant chemicals

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are group of chemicals which are representative persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and used as brominated flame retardants for many consumer products. PBDEs were phased out since 2009 but are still frequently observed in various environmental matrices and human body. Here, we report ssDNA aptamers which bind to BDE47, one of the PBDE congeners commonly found in various environmental matrices, and show affinity to other major tri-to hepta- BDE congeners. The PBDE specific aptamers were isolated from random library of ssDNA using Mag-SELEX. Two out of 15 sequences, based on their alignment and hairpin loop structures, were chosen to determine dissociation constant with BDE47 and showed from picomolar to nanomolar affinities (200 pM and 1.53 nM). The aptamers displayed high selectivity to the original target, BDE47, and implying general specificity to PBDE backbone with varying affinities to other congeners. Further, we showed that the use of two aptamers together could enhance the separation efficiency of BDE47 and other BDE congeners when dissolved in a solvent compared to use of single aptamer. These aptamers are expected to provide a tool for preliminary screening or quick separation of PBDEs in environmental samples prior to trace quantitative analysis.     

Determination of PBDEs in human breast adipose tissues by gas chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

The potential of gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry with a triple quadrupole analyzer for determination of 12 polybrominated diphenyl ethers in human breast tissues has been investigated. After extraction with hexane, two purification procedures-automated normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and solid-phase extraction-were assayed. Both electron impact ionization, in selected reaction monitoring mode, and negative chemical ionization, in selected ion recording mode, were tested for the optimum determination of analytes. Isotopically labeled standards were added before extraction as surrogates: [¹³C]BDE47, [¹³C]BDE99 and [¹³C]BDE153 for electron impact ionization, and p,p′-DDE-d ₈ for negative chemical ionization. The method was validated in terms of accuracy, precision, limits of detection and limits of quantification, using human breast tissue spiked at three levels in the range 1–50 ng/g (5–250 ng/g for BDE209). The analytical approach using solid-phase extraction cleanup followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (negative chemical ionization ) led to lower detection limits (0.006–2 ng/g) and allowed the determination of the most problematic congener, BDE209, whose poor sensitivity made difficult its determination at low residue levels. Special attention was given to the confirmation of the compounds detected in samples in order to avoid reporting false positives. Two tandem mass spectrometry transitions or three m/z ions were selected for each analyte when using electron impact ionization or negative chemical ionization modes, respectively. In both cases, the transition to ion intensity ratio was used as a confirmation parameter. The method developed was applied to the analysis of real human samples. Several brominated diphenyl ethers (congeners 47, 100, 99, 154, 153, 183 and 209) were detected in the range 0.08–0.23 ng/g.     

Photo-solid-phase microextraction of selected indoor air pollutants from office buildings. Identification of their photolysis intermediates

Photo-solid-phase microextraction (photo-SPME) has been employed to study the photolysis of three common indoor air pollutants: coumarin, butylated hydroxytoluene, 2,6-diisopropylnaphthalene. Analytes were first extracted by SPME, and the fibre was subsequently exposed to an irradiation source (i.e. xenon arc or low-pressure mercury lamp) for the selected time (from 2 to 120 min). Analyses of the irradiated fibres were carried out by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) detection. Photodecay kinetics exhibited a first-order behaviour and their rate constants and half-life times were estimated. Twenty-five photoproducts have been tentatively identified by means of their mass spectra. On the basis of the identified transformation compounds, some photodegradation pathways were proposed. The photoformation–photodecay kinetics of the identified by-products were also monitored by photo-SPME. To the best of our knowledge, photolytic routes for coumarin, butylated hydroxytoluene and 2,6-diisopropylnaphthalene have not been previously investigated.     

Analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in sewage sludge by matrix solid‐phase dispersion and isotope dilution GC–MS

A method for the determination of 14 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in sludge from wastewater treatment plants is presented. PBDEs were extracted by matrix solid‐phase dispersion assisted by sonication and determined by isotope dilution gas chromatography with electron impact mass spectrometric detection in the selected ion monitoring mode, using labelled ¹³C‐PBDEs as internal standards. The limits of detection and quantification for the tri‐ to hepta‐BDEs were in the range of 0.05 to 0.5 ng/g dry weight and 0.15 to 1.8 ng/g dry weight, respectively, and 1.6 ng/g dry weight and 5.6 ng/g dry weight for deca‐BDE‐209. The proposed analytical method was applied to determine PBDE levels in sewage sludge samples collected from 19 water treatment plants located in the province of Madrid (Spain). In all of the examined samples, BDE‐100 and BDE‐154 were the main compounds found with a mean concentration of 3.9 and 2.0 ng/g, respectively. PBDEs were detected in all of the samples, and their total concentrations not considering BDE‐209 were between 3.9 and 23.0 ng/g dry weight. The dominant PBDE congener in sewage sludge was BDE‐209, which constituted 38.7 to 97.3% of the total, and showed concentration levels ranging from 8.1 to 717.2 ng/g dry weight.     

Highly sensitive determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in surface water by GC coupled to high‐resolution MS according to the EU Water Directive 2008/105/EC

The analysis of brominated flame retardants, such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), has received increased interest because of their toxicity and ubiquity. According to European Union Directive 2008/105/EC, the development of highly sensitive and selective methods capable of determining PBDEs at low concentration levels (<0.5 ng/L) is necessary. In this work, an SPE method was developed for the analysis of the six PBDEs (BDE‐28, BDE‐47, BDE‐99, BDE‐100, BDE‐153, BDE‐154) specified by the aforementioned directive in surface waters. The analyses were performed by GC coupled to magnetic sector high‐resolution MS. The conditions were also optimized to detect the target compounds in water samples at concentrations below the environmental quality standards established by European legislation. The validated method provided adequate linearity (determination coefficient, R² ≥ 0.9960), recovery (101–120%, except for BDE‐47 at 5 ng/L, 127%), and precision values (RSD < 20%) at two fortification levels (0.2 and 5 ng/L). The method showed LODs and LOQs ranging from 0.02 to 0.05 and from 0.05 to 0.1 ng/L, respectively. The method was applied in surface water samples, allowing the determination of these compounds at the limits established by current legislation.