Comparison of the sensitivities of seven N-nitrosamines in pre-screened waters using an automated preconcentration system and gas chromatography with different detectors

J Chromatogr A. 2007 Jun 22;1154(1-2):66-73. doi: 10.1016/j.chroma.2007.03.117. Epub 2007 Apr 4.

Abstract

A simple, expeditious procedure for confirming the presence of N-nitrosamines in previously screened positive water samples was proposed. Water samples were continuously aspirated into a photometric flow system for screening. Positive samples were then confirmed and N-nitrosamines were identified by gas chromatography using different detectors (mass spectrometry, flame ionization and nitrogen-phosphorus). The system for the screening purpose was based on the preconcentration of the analytes onto a sorbent column, elution, and derivatization to form nitrite, then formation of a coloured product (Griess reaction) and photometric detection. The detection limits of the gas chromatographic method for 100 ml of sample were 2.0-3.5 microg/l, 20-80 and 3-13 ng/l for flame ionization, nitrogen-phosphorus and mass spectrometric detectors, respectively. The precision as RSD was similar for all detectors (3.0-6.5%). The screening of different types of water showed that wastewaters contain levels of N-nitrosamines that can be detected only using MS as a detector.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Automation
  • Chromatography, Gas / instrumentation
  • Chromatography, Gas / methods*
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / methods
  • Nitrosamines / analysis*
  • Photometry / methods
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Solid Phase Extraction
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*

Substances

  • Nitrosamines
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical