Efficient magnetic solid-phase extraction, UPLC-MS/MS detection, and consumption assessment of five trace...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Forensic Toxicology

Background:

• Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) offers objective population-level monitoring of psychoactive substance (PS) consumption.
• Developing efficient extraction methods is crucial for accurate WBE analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel magnetic adsorbent for PS extraction from wastewater.
• To quantify five PSs in municipal wastewater using UPLC-MS/MS.
• To assess drug consumption patterns in Chongqing.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of magnetic shrimp shell biochar (DZMBC) optimized for PS adsorption.
• Magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) using DZMBC for PS preconcentration.
• Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) for quantitative analysis.

Main Results:

• DZMBC demonstrated excellent pH stability, anti-interference, magnetic separation, reusability, and reproducibility.
• The MSPE-UPLC-MS/MS method achieved low detection limits (1.00–4.75 ng/L) and high precision (<4.8% RSD).
• Methamphetamine (MAMP) and MDMA were prevalent; MDMA consumption showed significant seasonal variation.

Conclusions:

• The DZMBC-based MSPE method is effective for WBE of PSs.
• This approach provides a reliable snapshot of drug use patterns.
• Significant seasonal trends in MDMA consumption were identified in Chongqing.