Determination of ultraviolet filter compounds in environmental water samples using membrane-protected...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Separation Science

Background:

• Ultraviolet (UV) filter compounds are emerging contaminants in aquatic environments.
• Assessing UV filter contamination requires sensitive and reliable analytical methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel analytical method for determining six UV filter compounds in diverse aqueous matrices.
• To investigate the presence and levels of UV filters in real water samples.

Main Methods:

• Membrane-protected micro-solid-phase extraction (MP-μSPE) utilizing multiwalled carbon nanotubes as sorbent.
• Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for analyte separation and detection.
• Extraction via sample immersion followed by dichloromethane desorption.

Main Results:

• The method demonstrated high sensitivity with limits of quantification (LOQ) from 0.01 to 0.06 μg/L.
• Excellent linearity (R² > 0.991) and good reproducibility (RSD < 15%) were achieved.
• UV filter contamination was detected in tap, river, dam, geothermal spa, and sewage treatment plant effluent, with spa water showing the highest levels.

Conclusions:

• The developed MP-μSPE-GC-MS method is sensitive, reproducible, and suitable for analyzing UV filters in complex water matrices.
• The study highlights the widespread presence of UV filters in various water bodies, indicating a need for further environmental assessment and management.