Analytical methods for the determination of alkylphenolic surfactants and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in...

Analytical methods for the determination of two groups of compounds, the non-polar alkyl phenols along with their more polar ethoxylates, and the hydrophobic polybrominated flame retardants in wastewater samples have been developed. The methods allow for determination of the analytes in both the aqueous and solid phases, which were separated by centrifugation and filtration. Extraction from the aqueous phase involved the use of SPE for the surfactants, however, liquid-liquid extraction was found to be more efficient for the PBDE. Alkyl phenols and their ethoxylates were extracted from the solid phase by shaking with solvent and Soxhlet was used for extraction of PBDE. Sample cleanup was based on alumina columns for the PBDE and surfactants when extracted form solids. Quantification of surfactants utilised LC-MS with ESI in both positive and negative ionisation mode, and GC-MS (NCI) was used to determine the PBDE, with the exception of the deca congener, where a 10 m column installed on GC-ECD resulted in short run times and reduced thermal decomposition. Method recoveries for the surfactants were above 80%, and for PBDE 92.5% from the solid phase and 95+/-5% from the liquid phase.