title: Multi-residue analysis of pharmaceuticals in wastewater by liquid chromatography-magnetic sector mass spectrometry: method quality assessment and application in a Belgian case study.
abstract: Through systematic research a novel analytical method using solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography magnetic sector mass spectrometry was developed for the measurement of 43 pharmaceuticals in wastewater. A thorough method validation quantified the contribution of both the extraction recovery and matrix effects in the overall method process efficiency, and a detailed uncertainty analysis was performed to elaborate a quality labelling strategy to be used in data interpretation. Compounds for which a precise (relative standard deviation<20%) process efficiency between 60% and 140% was determined, were labelled as 'quantitative' whereas the results for other compounds should be interpreted as 'indicative'. Method application on influent and effluent samples of (i) a conventional active sludge system and (ii) a parallel membrane bioreactor/conventional active sludge wastewater treatment plant in Belgium revealed the occurrence of 22 pharmaceuticals. The anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac and the antidepressant venlafaxine were measured in the effluents at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 1.8 μg L(-1) and 0.2 to 0.5 μg L(-1), respectively, which indicated to be of high potential environmental risk for the receiving river Dender, Belgium.
authors.affiliation: Research Group Environmental Organic Chemistry and Technology (EnVOC), Department of Sustainable Organic Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Leendert
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vergeynst
authors.affiliation: Research Group Environmental Organic Chemistry and Technology (EnVOC), Department of Sustainable Organic Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haeck
authors.affiliation: Research Group Environmental Organic Chemistry and Technology (EnVOC), Department of Sustainable Organic Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Wispelaere
authors.affiliation: Research Group Environmental Organic Chemistry and Technology (EnVOC), Department of Sustainable Organic Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Herman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Langenhove
authors.affiliation: Research Group Environmental Organic Chemistry and Technology (EnVOC), Department of Sustainable Organic Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: Kristof.Demeestere@UGent.be.
authors.forename: Kristof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Demeestere
mesh_terms: D001530:Belgium; D019149:Bioreactors; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D060328:Magnetic Phenomena; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000032:analysis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012722:Sewage; D052616:Solid Phase Extraction / Q000379:methods; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D062065:Wastewater / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D012722:Sewage; D062065:Wastewater; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Emerging pollutant; Environmental risk assessment; High-resolution mass spectrometry; Pharmaceutical; Validation; Wastewater treatment plant