A high-throughput detection method has been developed for the determination of nine perfluorinated compound precursors (PFCPs) in atmospheric precipitation by solid phase extraction-ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-UPLC-ESI-MS/MS). The atmospheric precipitation samples were concentrated and purified with HLB solid phase extraction cartridges. The UPLC separation was performed on an HSS T3 column (100 mm×2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) utilizing a gradient elution program of methanol and water as the mobile phases at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. The MS/MS detection was performed under negative electrospray ionization (ESI-) in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Good linearity was observed in the range of 0.05-5.00 μg/L, 0.50-50.0 μg/L or 5.00-500 μg/L with correlation coefficients from 0.9921 to 0.9995. The limits of detection (LODs) for the nine perfluorinated compound precursors were in the ranges of 0.05-7.9 ng/L. The recoveries ranged from 76.0% to 106% with the relative standard deviations between 0.72% and 13.7%. This method is characterized by high sensitivity and precision, extensive analytical range and quick analytical rate, and can be applied for the analysis of perfluorinated compound precursors in atmospheric precipitation.
Keywords: atmospheric precipitation; perfluorinated compound precursors; solid phase extraction (SPE); ultra performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI MS/MS).