Characterization and determination of chloro- and bromo-benzoquinones as new chlorination disinfection byproducts in drinking water.
We report the characterization and determination of 2,6-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone and three new disinfection byproducts (DBPs): 2,6-dichloro-3-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone, 2,3,6-trichloro-1,4-benzoquinone, and 2,6-dibromo-1,4-benzoquinone. These haloquinones are suspected bladder carcinogens and are likely produced during drinking water disinfection treatment. However, detection of these haloquinones is challenging, and consequently, they have not been characterized as DBPs until recently. We have developed an electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry technique based on our observation of unique ionization processes. These chloro- and bromo-quinones were ionized through a reduction step to form [M + H](-) under negative electrospray ionization. Tandem mass spectra and accurate mass measurements of these compounds showed major product ions, [M + H - HX](-), [M + H - HX - CO](-), [M + H - CO](-), and/or X(-) (where X represents Cl or Br). The addition of 0.25% formic acid to water samples was found to effectively stabilize the haloquinones in water and to improve the ionization for analysis. These improvements were rationalized from the estimates of pK(a) values (5.8-6.3) of these haloquinones. The method of tandem mass spectrometry detection, combined with sample preservation, solid phase extraction, and liquid chromatography separation, enabled the detection of haloquinones in chlorinated water samples collected from a drinking water treatment plant. The four haloquinones were detected only in drinking water after chlorination treatment, with concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 165 ng/L, but were not detectable in the untreated water. This method will be useful for future studies of occurrence, formation pathways, toxicity, and control of these new halogenated DBPs.
Zhao
Yuli
Y
Division of Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2G3.
Qin
Feng
F
Boyd
Jessica M
JM
Anichina
Janna
J
Li
Xing-Fang
XF
D016227:Benzoquinones / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D004203:Disinfection; D004326:Drinking; D054879:Halogenation; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D011634:Public Health; D052616:Solid Phase Extraction; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity
D016227:Benzoquinones; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014867:Water