Simultaneous determination of the potential carcinogen 1,4-dioxane and malodorous alkyl-1,3-dioxanes and alkyl-1,3-dioxolanes in environmental waters by solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

The suitability of a SPE method and further analysis by GC/MS-MS to simultaneously determine 1,4-dioxane and alkyl-1,3-dioxanes and dioxolanes has been demonstrated. Recoveries in surface waters spiked at 25 ng/L ranged from 76% to 105%, whereas method quantification limits (MQLs) varied from 0.7 to 26 ng/L for dioxanes, and dioxolanes and 50 ng/L for 1,4-dioxane. Uncertainties were evaluated at two different concentrations, 0.02 μg/L and 0.4 μg/L, with values of 25% for 1,4-dioxane, and of 16-28% for alkyl-1,3-dioxanes and alkyl-1,3-dioxolanes for the later. The methodology has been successfully applied to samples from the aquifer of the Llobregat River (NE. Spain).