A novel method through solid phase extraction combined with gradient elution for concentration and separation of 66 (ultra) trace persistent toxic pollutants in Antarctic waters

• To our knowledge, it is the first study on the simultaneous pretreatment of 66 (ultra) trace persistent toxic pollutants in Antarctic waters.
• In this study, solid phase extraction combined with gradient elution for concentration and separation of various compounds belonging to different families. Thus the method has a wide application since the polarity of analytes is from non-polar to weakly polar.
• Gradient elution solves inference of impurity, mutual interference and solid phase solves the concentration of large volume water samples.

This study developed a method to perform the simultaneous concentration and selective separation of 66 (ultra) trace persistent toxic substances in Antarctic waters. The substances included 30 polychlorinated biphenyls, 17 organochlorine pesticides, 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 3 hexabromocyclododecanes. Solid phase extraction was performed using a C18 membrane and silica gel column. Gradient elution was conducted using organic solvents with different polarities; as a result, the efficiency of the C18 film is improved and the interferences from impurities and target compounds are eliminated. Extracts were subsequently analyzed through gas chromatography or liquid and gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Method validation yielded the following values: recoveries of all target analytes in the Antarctic water ranged from 87.3% to 117.6% and reproducibility as percent relative standard deviation was lower than 5%. Quantification limits ranged from 0.004 μg L−1 to 0.030 μg L−1. The established method improved the recoveries and reduced the limits of detection. Results indicated the method exhibited good performance in the simultaneous concentration and selective separation of 66 (ultra) trace organic pollutants; Therefore, the proposed sample pretreatment can potentially eliminate the effects of various classes of impurities to some extent.

A simple and easy-to-use sample preparation method for various groups of (ultra) trace persistent toxic substances (PCBs, OCPs, HBCDs and PAHs) in water was developed, which was based on solid phase extraction and gradient elution. Subsequently, the established method was successfully applied to the determination of 66 (ultra) trace persistent toxic substances in Antarctic waters.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide