Multiresidue analysis of 83 pesticides and 12 dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in wine by gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry

A multiresidue method is described for simultaneous estimation of 83 pesticides and 12 dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in red and white wines. The samples (20 mL wine, acidified with 20 mL 1% HCl) were extracted with 10 mL ethyl acetate (+20 g sodium sulphate) and cleaned by dispersive solid-phase extraction (DSPE) with anhydrous calcium chloride and Florisil successively. The final extract (5 mL) was solvent exchanged to 1 mL of cyclohexane:ethyl acetate (9:1), further cleaned by DSPE with 25 mg primary secondary amine sorbent and analyzed by gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC–TOF-MS) within 31 min run time. The limits of quantification of most analytes were ≤10–20 μg/L. Acidification of wine prior to extraction prevented hydrolysis of organophosphorous pesticides as well as dicofol, whereas treatment with CaCl₂ minimized the fatty acid co-extractives significantly. Solvent exchange to cyclohexane:ethyl acetate (9:1) further minimized the co-extractives. Recoveries at 5, 10 and 20 ng/mL were >80% for most analytes except cyprodinil, buprofezin and iprodione. The expanded uncertainties at 10 ng/mL were <20% for most analytes. Intra-laboratory precision in terms of Horwitz ratio of all the analytes was below 0.5, suggesting ruggedness of the method. Effectively, the method detection limit for most analytes was as low as up to 1 ng/mL in both red and white wine, except for cyfluthrin and cypermethrin.     

Trace-level analysis of polychlorinated biphenyls,organochlorine pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in human plasma or serum by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A method to determine 8 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 23 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was described using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) of a small amount of plasma or serum sample and gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS). The appropriate selection of the extraction solvent and dispersing solvent contributes to a high extraction yield and a clean extract. To verify the developed method, the interference, linearity of the calibration curve, detection limit, precision and accuracy were evaluated. The calibration curves were linear by 2–3 orders of magnitude with correlation coefficients above 0.997 in all cases. The LODs of PCBs, OCPs and PAHs were measured in the ranges of 0.0006–0.0029, 0.001–0.029 and 0.0002–0.012 ng/mL. The intraday precision achieved by this method was 2.19–10.3% (PCBs), 1.65–14.3% (OCPs) and 0.91–12.8% (PAHs), and the intraday accuracy 1.56–7.37% (PCBs), 2.34–19.6% (OCPs) and 1.49–15.7% (PAHs). The advantage of this method is that the analysis of PCBs, OCPs, and PAHs can be performed in a single chromatographic run, and the low detection limit enables monitoring of target substances in low exposure general public samples, and the analysis procedure is relatively simple and fast.     

Estimation of measurement uncertainty of pesticides,polychlorinated biphenyls and polyaromatic hydrocarbons in sediments by using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

The evaluation of the uncertainty associated to analytical methods is essential in order to demonstrate quality of a result. However, there is often lack of information about uncertainty of methods to estimate persistent organic pollutants concentration in complex matrix. Current work has thoroughly evaluated uncertainty associated to quantification of several organochloride pesticides, PCBs and PAHs in sediments. A discussion of the main contributions to the overall uncertainty is reported, allowing authors to establish the accuracy of results and plan future improvements. Combined uncertainties ranged between 5–9% (pesticides), 4–7% (PCBs) and 5–10% (PAHs), being uncertainty derived of calibration the main contribution. Also, the analytical procedure was validated analysing a standard reference material (IAEA-408).     

Analysis of 29 per- and polyfluorinated compounds in water,sediment, soil and sludge by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Several analytical methods were optimised for the analysis of 29 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), including perfluorocarboxylic acids, perfluoroalkyl sulphonic acids and fluorotelomers (FTs), such as sulphonate, saturated carboxylic acid, unsaturated carboxylic acid, sulphonamide and sulphonamide betaine (FTAB), in environmental samples in order to assess pollution by PFASs around heavily contaminated sites. Non-filtered water samples were extracted, purified and pre-concentrated by a solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedure. Solid samples (sediments, soils and sludges) were extracted through solvent extraction under acidic conditions and thereafter purified and pre-concentrated using the same SPE procedure as for the water samples. An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry in negative electrospray ionisation mode was employed to separate and detect targeted compounds. Twelve labelled internal standards were used to provide an adequate correction compensating for matrix effects. The limits of quantification (LOQs) were between 4 and 10 ng/L in water depending on the analytes. For solid samples, the LOQs were 2 ng/g dry weight (dw) in sediments and soils, and 20 ng/g dw in sludges for all analytes. A surrogate parameter method based on the carboxylation of perfluoroalkyl acid precursors under basic pH conditions was furthermore implemented to estimate the occurrence of non-targeted PFAS compounds. In order to evaluate the reliability of these analytical methods, environmental samples collected around a training area in France, where aqueous fire-fighting foam is used, were analysed. Of all the compounds detected in these environmental samples, 6:2 FTAB was found in the highest concentrations.     

Low-density magnetofluid dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the fast determination of organochlorine pesticides in water samples by GC-ECD

A new micro-extraction technique named low-density magnetofluid dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (LMF-DMMLE) has been developed, which permits a wider range of solvents and can be combined with various detection methods. Comparing with the existing low density solvents micro-extraction methods, no special devices and complicated operations were required during the whole extraction process. Dispersion of the low-density magnetofluid into the aqueous sample is achieved by using vortex mixing, so disperser solvent was unnecessary. The extraction solvent was collected conveniently with an external magnetic field placed outside the extraction container after dispersing. Then, the magnetic nanoparticles were easily removed by adding precipitation reagent under the magnetic field. In order to evaluate the validity of this method, ten organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were chosen as the analytes. Parameters influencing the extraction efficiency such as extraction solvents, volume of extraction solvents, extraction time, and ionic strength were investigated and optimized. Under the optimized conditions, this method showed high extraction efficiency with low limits of detection of 1.8–8.4 ng L⁻¹, good linearity in the range of 0.05–10.00 μg L⁻¹ and the precisions were in the range of 1.3–9.6% (RSD, n = 5). Finally, this method was successfully applied in the determination of OCPs in real water samples.     

Monitoring of di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate,nonylphenol, nonylphenol ethoxylates,and polychlorinated biphenyls in anaerobic and aerobic sewage sludge by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

The occurrence of di-(2-ethyhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), nonylphenol and nonyphenol mono- and diethoxylates (NPEs) and seven polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in different types of sludge samples is reported. The analysis of these compounds was carried out by sonication-assisted extraction and analytical determination by gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometry detector, following a previously described method. The applicability of the method was tested by monitoring the organic pollutants in primary, secondary, mixed, and digested-dehydrated sludge samples from two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) based on aerobic and on anaerobic biological stabilization. The occurrence of these compounds in sewage sludge and the influence of sludge stabilization process on the further farmland application of the sludge were evaluated. DEHP and NPEs were detected in all analysed sludge samples from both WWTPs at concentration levels in the range of 22.3–601?mg?kg^?1 and 136–2357?mg?kg^?1 dm (dry matter), respectively. PCBs were detected in all types of sludge analysed from the anaerobic WWTP but was not detected in any sludge sample from the aerobic WWTP. Concentration levels of the sum of the seven PCBs congeners were up to 1.5?mg?kg^?1 dm. The concentration of DEHP, sum of NPEs, and sum of the seven PCB congeners were higher than the limits fixed in the third draft of the future Sludge Directive for land application of sludge in the 67%, 100%, and 11% of samples from the anaerobic WWTP and in the 83%, 92%, and 0% of samples from the aerobic WWTP, respectively.     

A fast and effective routine method based on HS-SPME–GC–MS/MS for the analysis of organotin compounds in biota samples

This work validated an automated, fast, and low solvent- consuming methodology suited for routine analysis of tributyltin (TBT) and degradation products (dibutyltin, DBT; monobutyltin, MBT) in biota samples. The method was based on the headspace solid-phase microextraction methodology (HS-SPME), coupled with gas chromatographic separation and tandem mass-spectrometry (GC–MS/MS). The effectiveness of the matrix-matched signal ratio external calibration was tested for quantification purposes. The exclusion of matrix influences in the calibration curves proved the suitability of this versatile quantification method. The method detection limits obtained were of 3 ng Sn g⁻¹ dw for all the analytes. The analysis of references materials showed satisfying accuracy under optimum calibration conditions (% recovery between 87–111%; |Z-scores|<2). The repeatability RSD% and intra-laboratory reproducibility RSD% were lower than 9.6% and 12.6%, respectively. The work proved the remarkable analytical performances of the method and its high potential for routine application in monitoring organotin compounds (OTC).     

Validation of the RP–HPLC method for analysis of hydrochlorothiazide and captopril in tablets

A rapid and sensitive reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP–HPLC) method with ultra-violet (UV) detection for a routine control of hydrochlorothiazide and captopril in tablets was developed. The chromatographic system Hewlet Packard 1100 consisted of a HP 1100 pump, HP 1100 UV–VIS detector and HP ChemStation integrator. The samples were introduced through a Rheodyne injector valve with a 20-L sample loop. The isocratic system consisted of a Beckman Ultrasphere ODS 4.6 mm x 15 cm, 5-m-particle column and a mobile phase containing methanol/water (45:55 v/v). The pH of the mobile phase was adjusted to 3.8 with 85% ortophosphoric acid. Quantitation was accomplished using the internal standard method. At the selected conditions, the other excipients of the tablets did not interfere in the assay of active substances. The developed RP–HPLC method was validated, so linearity, precision, accuracy, robustness, limit of quantitation and limit of detection were investigated. For the robustness test, three factors were considered: the composition of the mobile phase , the pH of the mobile phase, and temperature. With the aid of response surface metodology (RSM), it was possible to precisely define the robustness of the method.     

A multiresidue method using ion-trap gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry with or without derivatisation with pentafluorobenzylbromide for the analysis of pesticides in the atmosphere

A multiresidue method using gas chromatography coupled to ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was developed for the analysis of 27 pesticides, commonly used in Alsace, in atmospheric samples (particle and gas phases). As pesticides are expected to be present at very low concentrations and in a complex matrix, the analytical method used was both highly selective and sensitive. These two properties were obtained by associating chromatography with ion-trap MS/MS. To develop this method, analysis of electron impact in single MS was first conducted to choose the parent ions of the pesticides studied. Among the 27 pesticides analysed, seven of them require a derivatisation step. This was the case of some ureas (chlorotoluron, diuron and isoproturon), phenoxy acids (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid and mecoprop) and of bromoxynil. The derivatisation was performed with success with pentafluorobenzylbromide. Then, a MS/MS method was optimised by parameters such as the radio frequency storage level and the collision-induced dissociation excitation voltage. Finally, a last step enabled the development of two calibrating programs based on the quantification of daughter ions for the 20 pesticides analysed directly (run 1) and for the seven pesticides which needed derivatisation (run 2). With this analytical procedure, the detection limits varied between 2.5 and 1,250 pg m^–3 depending on the compounds studied. This method was tested with success for atmospheric samples collected in Strasbourg (France) during intensive pesticide treatment in 2002.     

Design of experiments and detailed uncertainty analysis to develop and validate a solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous analysis of 16 pesticides in water

A solid-phase microextraction (SPME)/gas chromatography (GC)–mass spectrometry (MS) multiresidue analytical method was developed for 16 pesticides presenting different physicochemical properties including diphenyl ether, triazine, ureas, acetamides, benzofuran, thiocarbamate, pyridine carboxamides, chloronitrile, piperedine, and azoles. Optimization was achieved by means of the design of experiments methodology. Extraction temperature, extraction time, desorption temperature, and NaCl addition were the factors exhibiting the most significant effects on pesticide extraction. Validation was carried out through model adequacy and specificity tests, limits of quantification and detection determination, and full uncertainty assessment on the whole analytical method. Good first- and second-order model adequacy was found for pesticide calibration. LOQs were in the 0.05–0.5 μg L⁻¹ range and specificity recoveries varied from 75% to 140%. These results were considered acceptable for our research purposes on highly concentrated agricultural flows. Uncertainty calculations accounted for several steps: standard preparation, calibration model selection, and use. On average, real sample concentration uncertainties were lower than 10%, indicating that the analytical method performed very well. Its application to 61 real water samples confirmed the presence of some pesticide concentrations in relation to farmer use, whereas other molecules were usually either not detected or not quantified.     

Multi-class,multi-residue analysis of pesticides,polychlorinated biphenyls,polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,polybrominated diphenyl ethers and novel flame retardants in fish using fast,low-pressure gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A multi-class, multi-residue method for the analysis of 13 novel flame retardants, 18 representative pesticides, 14 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and 7 polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners in catfish muscle was developed and evaluated using fast low pressure gas chromatography triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (LP-GC/MS–MS). The method was based on a QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, safe) extraction with acetonitrile and dispersive solid-phase extraction (d-SPE) clean-up with zirconium-based sorbent prior to LP-GC/MS–MS analysis. The developed method was evaluated at 4 spiking levels and further validated by analysis of NIST Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) 1974B and 1947. Sample preparation for a batch of 10 homogenized samples took about 1 h/analyst, and LP-GC/MS–MS analysis provided fast separation of multiple analytes within 9 min achieving high throughput. With the use of isotopically labeled internal standards, recoveries of all but one analyte were between 70 and 120% with relative standard deviations less than 20% (n = 5). The measured values for both SRMs agreed with certified/reference values (72–119% accuracy) for the majority of analytes. The detection limits were 0.1–0.5 ng g⁻¹ for PCBs, 0.5–10 ng g⁻¹ for PBDEs, 0.5–5 ng g⁻¹ for select pesticides and PAHs and 1–10 ng g⁻¹ for flame retardants. The developed method was successfully applied for analysis of catfish samples from the market.     

Development and validation of an open screening method for diuretics,stimulants and selected compounds in human urine by UHPLC–HRMS for doping control

A new doping control screening method for the analysis of diuretics and stimulants using ultra high pressure liquid chromatography–high resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry has been developed. The screening was performed in full scan MS with scan-to-scan polarity switching which allowed to detect more than 120 target analytes. Sample preparation was limited to 10-fold dilution of the urine into the internal standard solution followed by injection. Total run time per sample was 10 min. Validation of the method yielded detection limits for diuretics between 25 and 250 ng mL⁻¹ and for stimulants between 5 and 500 ng mL⁻¹. The screening method has been implemented in routine doping control.     

An interlaboratory study of quantitation procedures for the analysis of water and wastewater for organo-chlorine pesticides by gas chromatography–electron capture detector

An interlaboratory study was conducted to assess two widely used procedures for estimating quantitation levels. Six laboratories participated in the analysis of artificially prepared water samples for organo-chlorine compounds by liquid-liquid extraction followed by gas chromatography–electron capture detector using USEPA Method 608. The study consisted of three phases, including six months of results from analyte free samples, the replicate analysis of fortified samples at a single concentration by the laboratory, and finally the analysis of blind fortified samples prepared by a third party. Estimated detection and quantitation limits (Currie's L_C and L_Q and USEPA's MDL and ML) were determined for each laboratory-method-analyte combination and then compared to the observed detection and quantitation limits. The overwhelming majority of analyte free samples had a reported value of zero. As a result, observed quantitation and detection limits were frequently zero. When they were not zero, the observed quantitation limits were sometimes less than the observed detection limits and when they were not, there was no observed fixed ratio between the quantitation and detection limits. The variability between days of analysis and the use of noise reducing techniques proved to be a significant source of the observed non-normal distribution of results from distilled water samples with a concentration of zero. Conventional procedures and their underlying analytical and statistical assumptions did not provide useful predictions of laboratory quantitation based upon the results of this study. Rather than one time statistical determinations, ongoing verification of quantitation limits may be a better approach.     

Study of the ESI and APCI interfaces for the UPLC–MS/MS analysis of pesticides in traditional Chinese herbal medicine

In this work, 53 selected pesticides of different chemical groups were extracted from Chinese herbal medicines and determined by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)–tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) using both electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization (APCI). Extracts were obtained using the acetonitrile-based quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) sample preparation technique. Cleanup was performed by dispersive solid-phase extraction using primary secondary amine, graphitized carbon black, and octadecylsilane. Two atmospheric-pressure interfaces, ESI and APCI, were checked and compared. The validation study, including detection limits, linearity, and matrix effects, was conducted on fritillaria, radix ginseng, folium isatidis, semen persicae, and flos lonicerae in multiple reaction monitoring mode. These matrices represent a variety of plants used in traditional Chinese medicine. Fritillaria and radix ginseng were chosen as representatives for roots, folium isatidis was chosen as a representative for leaves, semen persicae was chosen as a representative for seeds, and flos lonicerae was chosen as a representative for flowers. The limits of detection for pesticides were lower in the UHPLC–ESI-MS/MS method than in the UHPLC–APCI-MS/MS method. Matrix effects on the two ionizations were evaluated for the five matrices. Soft signal enhancement in UHPLC–APCI-MS/MS and signal suppression in UHPLC–ESI-MS/MS were observed.

The analysis of structural defects in piezo and ferroelectric materials by the “heat pulse” method

We consider the “heat pulse” technique for the analysis of structural imperfections. This method is based on the propagation of a pulse or packet of pulses of non-equilibrium acoustic phonons with 10¹¹–10¹² Hz frequencies.     

A high-throughput screening method for the exploration of optimal curing parameters and resistance to solvents of NANOMER®coating materials

A high-throughput screening method for the exploration of optimal curing parameters and resistance to solvents of NANOMER® coating materials based on the temperature-dependent swellability was developed. The screening method was first tested using a model sol made of pre-hydrolyzed (3-glycidoxypropyl)triethoxysilane (GPTES), tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), (heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrodecyl)triethoxysilane (FTS) and zirconium complex (prepared of zirconium-tert-butoxide complexed with acetylacetonate) charged with reactive diluent trimethylolpropan-triglycidether and defined amounts of fluorescein and cured at different temperatures. Afterwards, fluorescein was extracted with sodium hydroxide solution and the optical density of the supernatant of all samples was measured at 490 nm which is sensitive to the dye concentration. The optical density (OD) correlates with the degree of curing. According to this screening a temperature $CDATA \geq 140 ^\circA high-throughput screening method for the exploration of optimal curing parameters and resistance to solvents of NANOMER? coating materials based on the temperature-dependent swellability was developed. The screening method was first tested using a model sol made of pre-hydrolyzed (3-glycidoxypropyl)triethoxysilane (GPTES), tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), (heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrodecyl)triethoxysilane (FTS) and zirconium complex (prepared of zirconium-tert-butoxide complexed with acetylacetonate) charged with reactive diluent trimethylolpropan-triglycidether and defined amounts of fluorescein and cured at different temperatures. Afterwards, fluorescein was extracted with sodium hydroxide solution and the optical density of the supernatant of all samples was measured at 490 nm which is sensitive to the dye concentration. The optical density (OD) correlates with the degree of curing. According to this screening a temperature C is necessary for proper curing. The time dependence of extraction reveals information on resistance against sodium hydroxide solution, i. e. alkali resistance. The time dependent extraction of fluorescein at C of coatings cured at 100 and 140°C, respectively, shows a better resistance against 0.1 M sodium hydroxide solution for the one cured at 140°C, especially in the time range 10–60 min. The whole process — sol preparation, mixing of sols with dye, extraction, and optical spectroscopy—can be performed automatically. Further testes were made to proof the usability of this process. 96 hybrid materials were screened in regard to their alkali resistance and finally, a total number of 14 clear organic-inorganic hybrid coating systems with improved stability against sodium hydroxide solution were derived from this study.     

Development and validation of a LC–MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of aflatoxins, dyes and pesticides in spices

Based on several alerts from European countries over the last years concerning spices, we have been encouraged to establish an accurate method for the determination of dyes, aflatoxins and pesticides in various types of spices using reversed-phase (RP) liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry interfaced with electrospray (LC–ESI–MS/MS). A simple sample treatment procedure entailing the use of an extraction step with acetonitrile without further cleanup has been developed. A C18 column with an aqueous ammonium formate/methanol mixture as the mobile phase was used, and gradient elution was performed. Mass spectral acquisition was done in positive ion mode by applying multiple reaction monitoring of at least two fragmentation transitions per compound to provide a high degree of selectivity. The method was in-house validated in terms of linearity, sensitivity, repeatability, recovery and selectivity on six kinds of spices. Satisfactory results in the majority of the cases were obtained for all analytes and matrices, with practical limits of quantitation acceptable for routine monitoring purposes. Extraction recoveries for most of the compounds ranged from 60% to 140% at spiking levels of 0.05 and 0.5 mg kg⁻¹. The applicability of the method for the simultaneous determination of dyes, aflatoxins and pesticides in several types of spices was demonstrated, and the method successfully applied to a limited number of products from the local market.     

A simple,mild, and efficient method for the preparation of α,α-dichloroketones with DCDMH catalyzed by ammonium chloride

New process that can selectively prepare α,α-dichloro ketones from various ketones with 1,3-dichloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (DCDMH) using ammonium chloride as a catalyst is reported. The effects of ammonium salts, solvents, DCDMH, and reaction temperature were investigated. Under the optimal condition, most of α,α-dichlorinated products were selectively obtained in 86–98% yield.     

Fast low-pressure gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method for the determination of multiple pesticides in grapes,musts and wines

A fast method using low-pressure gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LP-GC/MS) was implemented and optimized to yield a complete separation of 27 representative pesticides in grapes, musts and wines. Extraction was performed with acetonitrile, applying quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) methodology. Several LP-GC/MS conditions such as column temperature, injection conditions, flow rate, MS conditions and matrix effects were evaluated to achieve the fastest separation with the highest sensitivity in MS detection (selected ion monitoring mode). After optimization, all 27 pesticides were extracted, chromatographically separated and detected in less than 20 min. Acceptable recoveries for nearly all pesticides at three different spiking levels (from 0.04 to 2.5 μg/g) were achieved with good repeatability (from 3 to 21%). Limits of quantification (from 0.02 to 5 μg/g) were lower than the maximum limit of residues, when established for pesticides.     

Adaptation and validation of QuEChERS method for the simultaneous analysis of priority and emerging pollutants in sediments by gas chromatography—mass spectrometry

A Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) method has been adapted and validated for the simultaneous determination of priority (16 PAHs, 12 PCBs and 7 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs)) and emerging (carbamazepine, 9 musks and 6 sunscreens) pollutants in sediments by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The sample preparation was adapted by modifying the nature of the extraction solvent and optimising clean-up and evaporation steps. The method was validated by the analysis of spiked estuarine and marine sediments. Analytical performances were evaluated in terms of linearity, accuracy, precision and detection limits. The method shows good linearity (coefficients of determination > 0.998) and repeatability (RSD < 10%). Obtained recoveries are acceptable, ranging from 62% to 131% for all the compounds. Detection limits are estimated to range from 0.01 ng/g to 3.18 ng/g. This developed method offers the ability to detect and quantify several priority and emerging pollutants at low concentration levels in sediments.