Multi-residue analysis of emerging pollutants in sediment using QuEChERS-based extraction followed by LC-MS/MS analysis

Anal Bioanal Chem. 2014 Feb;406(4):1259-66. doi: 10.1007/s00216-013-7450-8. Epub 2013 Nov 21.

Abstract

Emerging contaminants are suspected to cause adverse effects in humans and wildlife. Aquatic ecosystems are continuously contaminated by agricultural and industrial sources. To establish a causality relationship between the occurrence of contaminants in the environment and disease, experiments including all environmental matrices must be performed. Consequently, the current analytical tools must be improved. A new multi-residue method for analysing 15 emerging pollutants in sediments based on the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe approach is reported. The development of such a multirisque, inter-family method for sediment including pharmaceuticals, pesticides, personal care products and plasticizers is reported for the first time. The procedure involves salting-out liquid-liquid extraction using acetonitrile and clean-up with dispersive solid phase extraction, followed by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The validated analytical procedure exhibited recoveries between 40 and 98% for every target compound. This methodology facilitated the determination of pollutant contents at nanogram-per-gram concentrations.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / methods*
  • Drug Residues / analysis
  • Drug Residues / isolation & purification*
  • Geologic Sediments / chemistry*
  • Liquid-Liquid Extraction / methods*
  • Solid Phase Extraction / methods*
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry / methods*
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Water Pollutants, Chemical