Identification of potentially toxic compounds in complex extracts of environmental samples using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and multivariate data analysis.
In this study, we examined 31 samples of varying chemical composition, including samples of soils from gasworks, coke production sites, and sites where wood preservatives were heavily used; ash and soot from municipal solid waste incinerators; antiskid sand; and dust from areas with heavy road traffic. The samples were comprehensively chemically characterized, especially their polycyclic aromatic compound contents, using gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry, whereas their biological effects were assessed using dehydrogenase activity, root growth (Hordeum vulgare), reproduction of springtails (Folsomia candida), algal growth (Desmodesmus subspicatus), germinability (Sinapis alba), Vibrio fischeri, DR-CALUX, and Ames Salmonella assays. The number of compounds detected in the samples ranged from 123 to 527. Using the multivariate regression technique of partial-least-squares projections to latent structures, it was possible to find individual compounds that exhibited strong correlations with the different biological responses. Some of the results, however, indicate that a broader chemical characterization may be needed to identify all the compounds that may cause the measured biological responses.
Bergknut
Magnus
M
Environmental Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, SE-90187, Umeå, Sweden. magnus.bergknut@chem.umu.se
Kucera
Adam
A
Frech
Kristina
K
Andersson
Erika
E
Engwall
Magnus
M
Rannug
Ulf
U
Koci
Vladimir
V
Andersson
Patrik L
PL
Haglund
Peter
P
Tysklind
Mats
M
D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis
D004785:Environmental Pollutants