Silicone discs as disposable enrichment probes for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry determination of UV filters in water samples

This work describes an effective, low solvent consumption and affordable sample preparation approach for the determination of eight UV filters in surface and wastewater samples. It involves sorptive extraction of target analytes in a disposable, technical grade silicone disc (5 mm diameter × 0.6 mm thickness) followed by organic solvent desorption, large volume injection (LVI), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry determination. Final working conditions involved overnight extraction of 100-mL samples, containing 10% of methanol, followed by analytes desorption with 0.2 mL of ethyl acetate. The method provides linear responses between the limits of quantification (from 0.003 to 0.040 ng mL⁻¹) and 10 ng mL⁻¹, an intra-day precision below 13%, and low matrix effects for surface, swimming pool, and treated sewage water samples. Moreover, the extraction yields provided by silicone discs were in excellent agreement with those achieved using polydimethylsiloxane-covered stir bars. Several UV filters were found in surface and sewage water samples, with the maximum concentrations corresponding to octocrylene.