scholarly journals Simply Applicable Method for Microplastics Determination in Environmental Samples

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 1840
Author(s):  
Urška Šunta ◽  
Polonca Trebše ◽  
Mojca Bavcon Kralj
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Samples ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Fine Fraction ◽  
Melting Process ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Environmental Matrices ◽  
Algae Biomass ◽  
Analytical Laboratories ◽  
Significant Attention

Microplastics (MPs) have gained significant attention in the last two decades and have been widely researched in the marine environment. There are, however, less studies on their presence, routes of entry, and impacts on the biota in the soil environment. One of the main issues in the study of MPs is a lack of standardized methods for their identification in environmental samples. Currently the most commonly used techniques are thermal desorption gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) methods and pyrolysis followed by GC–MS. In this study, headspace-solid phase microextraction followed by GC–MS is proposed as a simple and widely applicable method for the determination of commonly present polymer MPs (polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and polypropylene) in environmental samples, for analytical laboratories with basic equipment worldwide. The proposed method is based on the identification of compounds, which are formed during the well-controlled melting process of specific coarse (1–5 mm) and fine fraction (1 mm–100 μm) MPs. The method was upgraded for the identification of individual polymer type in blends and in complex environmental matrices (soil and algae biomass). The successful application of the method in complex matrices makes it especially suitable for widescale use.

Recent Advances in Miniaturized Microextraction Techniques for the Determination of Bisphenols in Environmental Samples: An Overview of the last two Decades

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athanasios Tsalbouris ◽  
Natasa P. Kalogiouri ◽  
Victoria F. Samanidou
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Samples ◽  
Solid Phase Microextraction ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Precise Determination ◽  
Stir Bar Sorptive Extraction ◽  
Environmental Matrices ◽  
Industrial Chemicals ◽  
Recent Advances ◽  
Microextraction Techniques

Background: Bisphenols are major industrial chemicals that have raised public concern due to their endocrine disrupting properties and toxicity. Sample preparation is the most critical step for determination of bisphenols, especially if the analyst has to deal with environmental samples which are complex matrices and the co-extraction and co-elution of other relevant compounds results in the enhancement or suppression of the analyte signal. The need for the precise determination of bisphenols has signaled the development of effective microextraction techniques according to the Green Analytical Chemistry (GRAC) guidelines. Objective: The objective of this review is to gather and discuss all the recent advances in the development of microextraction techniques such as solid phase extraction (SPE), solid phase microextraction (SPME), magnetic solid phase microextraction (MSPE), liquid-phase microextraction (LPME), dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME), stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE), matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD), that have been successfully applied in the extraction of bisphenols from environmental matrices. Conclusion: The analytical performance of the proposed techniques is critically discussed highlighting the potential and the limitations of each method.

Improved derivatization protocol for simultaneous determination of alkylphenol ethoxylates and brominated flame retardants followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses

2014 ◽  
Vol 69 (12) ◽  
pp. 2389-2396 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. B. Chokwe ◽  
J. O. Okonkwo ◽  
L. L. Sibali ◽  
E. J. Ncube
Keyword(s):  
Simultaneous Determination ◽  
Environmental Samples ◽  
Flame Retardants ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Brominated Flame Retardants ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Alkylphenol Ethoxylates ◽  
Limit Of Quantification

An improved derivatization protocol for the simultaneous determination of alkylphenol ethoxylates and brominated flame retardants with heptafluorobutyric anhydride under triethylamine amine base was investigated. The derivatization reaction was completed in 30 min at 50 °C using hexane as solvent. Under these conditions, it was observed that alkylphenol ethoxylates and tetrabromobisphenol A were derivatized successfully in the presence of hexabromocyclododecane, lower congeners of polybrominated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers. The improved protocol was applied to the recover of the analytes of interest from a simulated water sample after solid phase extraction. The recoveries achieved were above 60%. The limit of detection and limit of quantification ranged from 0.01–0.20 and 0.05–0.66 μg L−1, respectively. The improved derivatization procedure was also successfully applied to determine trace amounts of these compounds in environmental water samples. The concentrations of the targeted analytes from the environmental samples were determined from limit of quantification. The levels of the targeted compounds in the environmental samples ranged from nd-7.63 ±2.83 μg L−1.

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