Multiclass determination of sunscreen chemicals in water samples by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A novel analytical method based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) for the determination of UV sunscreen agents in the water environment is presented. After a thorough investigation of SPE and LC-MS/MS conditions, it permits the enrichment and determination of nine of these compounds in a single methodology, including three very polar sulfonates (e.g., 2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid, PBSA) and six other less polar compounds (e.g., benzophenone-3, BP-3; octocrylene, OC,...). Other important matters of concern in the determination of UV filters at trace levels in water, i.e., adsorption on glassware and blank contamination problems, have also been discussed and minimized. This methodology affords detection limits between 7 and 46 ng L-1 and SPE recoveries in the range 63-102% from different real water matrixes, except for butylmethoxydibenzoylmethane (BM-DBM), which was not determinable in wastewater samples due to adsorption problems. The application of the method allowed reporting the levels of benzophenone-4 (BP-4) in environmental water samples for the first time, where it was identified as one of the most important in concentration among the UV filters studied, particularly in wastewater (237-1481 ng L-1).