Trace-level determination of pharmaceutical residues by LC-MS/MS in natural and treated waters. A pilot-survey study.
A pilot-survey study was performed by collecting samples (influent and effluent wastewaters, rivers and tap waters) from different locations in Europe (Spain, Belgium, Germany and Slovenia). A solid-phase extraction (SPE) followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was applied for the determination of pharmaceuticals (ibuprofen, naproxen, ketoprofen, diclofenac and clofibric acid). Method detection limits and method quantification limits were at the parts-per-trillion level (7.5-75 ng/L). The recovery rates of the SPE from deionized water and effluent wastewater samples spiked at 100- and 1,000-ng/L levels ranged from 87 to 95%. Identification criteria in compliance with the EU regulation for confirmatory methods of organic residues were applied. A detailed study of signal suppression evaluation for analysis of pharmaceutical residues in effluent wastewaters is presented.
Department of Environmental Chemistry, IIQAB-CSIC, 08034 Barcelona, Spain. dhernan@ual.es
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Hernando
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Heath
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Petrovic
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Barceló
D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D005060:Europe; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000032:analysis; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000032:analysis*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D014866:Waste Products / Q000032:analysis; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*
D009930:Organic Chemicals; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D014866:Waste Products; D014873:Water Pollutants