Steroid-estrogen determination in sediment and sewage sludge: a critique of sample preparation and chromatographic/mass spectrometry considerations, incorporating a case study in method development

Steroid estrogens have been identified in the solid matrices of unit treatment processes in sewage treatment works (STWs) and in sediments of watercourses that receive effluent. This article discusses the sample preparation and analytical considerations necessary for reliable determination and the need to evaluate for possible matrix interferences during method development. Complementing this is a case study highlighting the potential for analyte transformation during sample preparation and the phenomena of ion suppression when utilising LC/MS ESI with a comparison of method recoveries by GC/MS. We discuss the use of LC/MS/MS and TOF instruments; however, at present, their use in environmental analyses appears to be limited because of their capital costs.