Analysis of chlordecone by LC/MS–MS in surface and wastewaters

•A detailed description of the LC/MS–MS analysis for the chlordecone in various matrices (surface water, wastewaters).•An extraction protocol for measuring the amount of chlordecone adsorbed onto activated sludge.•The kinetics and the equilibrium of biosorption of the chlordecone onto activated sludge.•Similar solid/liquid partition coefficient for the chlordecone sorbed onto activated sludge as values obtained in soils.

Chlordecone (also known as Kepone) was used extensively in the French West Indies until 1993. This persistent pollution raises the question of the faith of this pesticide through water treatment plants and its eventual release in the environment. To address this issue, a two-step methodology is herein proposed. First, a complete description of the analysis of CLD is given using liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC/MS–MS). The reliability of this analytical methodology was demonstrated in ultrapure water as well as in the presence of organic and/or inorganic compounds (groundwater, river water and nutritive solutions). The limits of quantification were decreased to 1.5 μg L−1. In a second part, the removal of CLD is considered via the sorption onto activated sludge. Kinetics and isotherms of sorption were determined. Very short times (less than 5 min) were observed to reach the equilibrium. Moreover, a linear relationship was determined for the sorption equilibrium, which led to the conclusion that the solid/liquid partition coefficient was 7600 L kg−1, i.e. log KOC of 3.88, very close to the values encountered for the sorption of CLD in soils.