A cost-effective method for estimating di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate in coastal sediments

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Separation Science

Background:

• Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) is a common environmental contaminant.
• Accurate and efficient sediment analysis methods are crucial for environmental monitoring.
• Existing methods may involve lengthy procedures or significant sample requirements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, rapid, and sensitive analytical method for DEHP in sediment.
• To utilize matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD) and in-tube solid phase microextraction (IT-SPME) for DEHP analysis.
• To validate the method's performance with real sediment samples.

Main Methods:

• Sample preparation involved matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD) using C18 as the dispersant phase.
• On-line in-tube solid phase microextraction (IT-SPME) coupled to capillary liquid chromatography (CapLC) with diode array detection (DAD).
• Fourier-transform infrared-attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) for sample and procedure characterization.

Main Results:

• A total analysis time of less than 20 minutes was achieved, with MSPD taking approximately 10 minutes.
• No evaporation step was required, simplifying the workflow.
• High precision (<10% for DEHP estimation) and low detection limits (90 μg/kg for 0.3 g sample) were obtained, with no matrix effects observed.

Conclusions:

• The developed MSPD-IT-SPME-CapLC method offers an efficient and reliable approach for DEHP determination in sediments.
• The method's speed, sensitivity, and minimal sample requirement make it suitable for routine environmental analysis.
• FTIR-ATR effectively characterized the sediment and MSPD process, aiding method development.