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Single-throughput Complementary High-resolution Analytical Techniques for Characterizing Complex Natural Organic Matter Mixtures
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Combustion ion chromatography for extractable organofluorine analysis
Rudolf Aro1, Ulrika Eriksson1, Anna Kärrman1
1Man-Technology-Environment (MTM) Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Örebro University, 701 82 Örebro, Sweden.
Iscience
|September 1, 2021
Summary
Combustion ion chromatography (CIC) may underestimate organofluorine content due to incomplete PFAS incineration and calibration differences. This impacts environmental analysis and policy decisions regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs).
Area of Science:
- Environmental Analytical Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Combustion ion chromatography (CIC) is utilized for fluorine content analysis, particularly for evaluating perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and other organofluorine compounds.
- A common assumption is that CIC completely incinerates all PFASs and that matrix components do not influence this process, an assumption that has lacked experimental validation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally determine the combustion efficiencies of thirteen different PFASs using CIC.
- To investigate potential interferences from matrix components and calibration methods in CIC analysis of organofluorine.
- To assess the impact of these factors on the accuracy of extractable organofluorine (EOF) analysis.
Main Methods:
- Determination of combustion efficiencies for 13 distinct PFAS compounds.
- Comparison of CIC calibration using inorganic fluorine versus organofluorine standards.
- Evaluation of interferences from cations and coextracted matrix components in whole blood and surface water samples.
Main Results:
- Combustion efficiencies for the studied PFASs varied significantly, ranging from 66% to 110%.
- A notable difference was observed when calibrating the CIC instrument with inorganic fluorine compared to organofluorine standards.
- Cations and coextracted matrix components from real-world samples (whole blood, surface water) were found to potentially interfere with the analysis.
Conclusions:
- The assumption of complete PFAS incineration in CIC is not universally valid, as combustion efficiencies vary.
- Differences in calibration standards (inorganic vs. organofluorine) and matrix interferences can lead to inaccurate EOF quantification.
- Failure to account for non-100% combustion efficiencies and calibration discrepancies may result in underestimation of organofluorine burden, potentially misguiding environmental policy decisions.
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