Effects of gamma-sterilization on butyltin homogeneity and content in sediments: a GC-ICP-MS study.
A GC-ICP-MS method based on extraction and alkylation of butyltins with sodium tetraethylborate was used to quantitatively assess the fate of these analytes in solutions and sediments following exposure to gamma-irradiation. The effects of a 2.5 Mrad sterilization dose on three butyltin species in both methanolic calibration solutions and in sediment matrices were investigated. Although significant losses of tributyltin (TBT, 90%), dibutyltin (DBT, 100%) and monobutyltin (MBT, 80%) were detected in standard solutions prepared in methanol following gamma-irradiation, no species inter-conversion occurred. Some degradation of TBT (38%) and DBT (32%) but no significant change in MBT content was found using a spiked sediment CRM HISS-1. Conversion DBT to MBT in spiked HISS-1 was deduced. Much smaller degradation of TBT (16% loss) and 10% loss of DBT by conversion to MBT (14% gain) was registered using a sediment blend of PACS-2 and HISS-1 (SOPH). Despite some initial losses of TBT and DBT due to irradiation, better than 2% RSD in both TBT and DBT concentrations measured in twelve different bottles of blended sediment SOPH were obtained, indicating the material may be considered homogeneous for these analytes. Results from a long-term five-year stability study of PACS-2 show that all three butyltins are stable during storage at 4 degrees C followed with 2.5 Mrad minimum dose of gamma-irradiation sterilization treatment.
Institute for National Measurement Standards, National Research Council Canada, Ontario K1A 0R6 Ottawa, Canada. Lu.Yang@nrc.ca
Lu
L
Yang
Chrystelle
C
Bancon-Montigny
Zoltán
Z
Mester
Ralph E
RE
Sturgeon
Scott N
SN
Willie
Victor J
VJ
Boyko
D005720:Gamma Rays; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D009947:Organotin Compounds / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D013242:Sterilization; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000528:radiation effects*
D009947:Organotin Compounds; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C056189:di-n-butyltin