[Development of Determination Method of Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics in Sludge Based on Solid Phase Extraction and
Abstract:
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics (FQs), as the common pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), are widespread in the environment. FQs contained in wastewater would be ultimately enriched in sludge, posing a potential threat to the consequent sludge utilization. To optimize the analytical method applicable to the determination of FQs in sludge, the authors selected ofloxacin (OFL), norfioxacin (NOR), ciprofloxacin (CIP) and lomefloxacin (LOM) as the target FQs, and established a method which was based on cell lysis, FQs extraction with triethylamine/methanol/water solution, Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) and HPLC-Fluorescence Detection (FLD) determination. After the investigation, phosphoric acid-triethylamine was decided to be the buffer salt, and methanol was chosen as the organic mobile phase. The gradient fluorescence scanning strategy was proved to be necessary for the optimal detection as well. Furthermore, by the designed orthogonal experiments, the effects of the extraction materials, pH, and the eluents on the efficiency of SPE extraction were evaluated, by which the optimal extraction conditions were determined. As a result, FQs in liquid samples could be analyzed by utilizing HLB extraction cartridge, and the recovery rates of the four FQs were in the range of 82%-103%. As for solid samples, the recovery rates of the four FQs contained reached up to 71%-101%. Finally, the adsorptivity of the sludge from the different tanks ( anaerobic, anoxic and oxic tanks) was investigated, showing gradual decrease in the adsorption capacity, but all adsorbed over 90% of the EQs. This conclusion also confirmed that 50% removal of FQs in the domestic wastewater treatment plant was realized by sludge adsorption.
