Determination of eight nitrosamines in water at the ng L−1 levels by liquid chromatography coupled to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry

In this work, we have developed a sensitive method for detection and quantification of eight N-nitrosamines, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N-nitrosomorpholine (NMor), N-nitrosomethylethylamine (NMEA), N-nitrosopirrolidine (NPyr), N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), N-nitrosopiperidine (NPip), N-nitroso-n-dipropylamine (NDPA) and N-nitrosodi-n-butylamine (NDBA) in drinking water. The method is based on liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry, using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) in positive mode with a triple quadrupole analyzer (QqQ). The simultaneous acquisition of two MS/MS transitions in selected reaction monitoring mode (SRM) for each compound, together with the evaluation of their relative intensity, allowed the simultaneous quantification and reliable identification in water at ppt levels. Empirical formula of the product ions selected was confirmed by UHPLC-(Q)TOF MS accurate mass measurements from reference standards.Prior to LC–MS/MS QqQ analysis, a preconcentration step by off-line SPE using coconut charcoal EPA 521 cartridges (by passing 500 mL of water sample) was necessary to improve the sensitivity and to meet regulation requirements. For accurate quantification, two isotope labelled nitrosamines (NDMA-d6 and NDPA-d14) were added as surrogate internal standards to the samples.The optimized method was validated at two concentration levels (10 and 100 ng L−1) in drinking water samples, obtaining satisfactory recoveries (between 90 and 120%) and precision (RSD < 20%). Limits of detection were found to be in the range of 1–8 ng L−1. The described methodology has been applied to different types of water samples: chlorinated from drinking water and wastewater treatment plants (DWTP and WWTP, respectively), wastewaters subjected to ozonation and tap waters.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights• Eight N-nitrosamines in water by LC(APCI)MS/MS QqQ analysis. • Validation at two levels: 10 ng L−1 (LOQ) and 100 ng L−1 in drinking water. • Developed method applied to different types of water samples. • NDMA was the analyte more frequently detected and at the highest concentration levels.