LC-MS determination of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates and their carboxylic degradation products in influent and effluent water samples and sludges from sewage-treatment plants.
Linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) have been determined in samples of the influent and the effluent, and in the sludge, from sewage-treatment plants (STP). LAS and sulfophenyl carboxylate compounds (SPC) were isolated by solid-phase extraction (SPE) with the polymeric phase Isolute ENV, then determined by liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). The method enabled unequivocal identification of C10-C13 LAS by monitoring the ion at m/z 183 and the base peak corresponding to the [M-H]- ion. Average recoveries varied from 77-93% and the linear range of the method varied from 0.2 to 10 microg L(-1), with a limit of detection ranging from 10 ng L(-1) to 1.5 microg L(-1) when 200 mL waste water were preconcentrated. For sewage sludge, recoveries varied from 58 to 90% and the linear range was between 0.2 and 100 microg L(-1), with a detection limit ranging from 0.4 to 120 microg kg(-1) when 2.5 g sewage sludge was extracted. Unequivocal identification and determination of some metabolites of the LAS, the sulfophenyl carboxylate compounds (SPC), was achieved by monitoring [M-H]- ions.
Riu
J
J
Department of Environmental Chemistry, IIQAB-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain.
Marínez
E
E
Barceló
D
D
Ginebreda
A
A
Tirapu
L L
LL
D017738:Alkanesulfonic Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D002264:Carboxylic Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D012722:Sewage / Q000737:chemistry*; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*
D017738:Alkanesulfonic Acids; D002264:Carboxylic Acids; D012722:Sewage; D014873:Water Pollutants; C030641:alkylbenzyl sulfonic acid