Development of a dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method for organophosphorus flame retardants and plasticizers determination in water samples

A critical review on organophosphate esters in drinking water: Analysis, occurrence, sources, and human health risk assessment

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are ubiquitous in the environment. Copious studies assessed OPEs in various environmental media. However, there is limited summative information about OPEs in drinking water. This review provides comprehensive data for the analytical methods, occurrence, sources, and risk assessment of OPEs in drinking water. In general, liquid-liquid extraction and solid-phase extraction are the most common methods in the extraction of OPEs from drinking water, while gas chromatography and liquid chromatography are the most commonly used instrumental methods for detecting OPEs in drinking water. On the basis of these techniques, a variety of methods on OPEs pretreatment and determination have been developed to know the pollution situation of OPEs. Studies on the occurrence of OPEs in drinking water show that the total concentrations of OPEs vary seasonally and regionally, with tris(1-chloro-2-isopropyl) phosphate and tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate dominant among different kinds of drinking water. Source identification studies show that there are three main sources of OPEs in drinking water: 1) source water contamination; 2) residual in drinking water treatment process; 3) leakage from device or pipeline. Besides, risk assessments indicate that individual and total OPEs pose no or negligible health risk to human, but this result may be significantly underestimated. Finally, the current knowledge gaps on the research of OPEs in drinking water are discussed and some suggestions are provided for future environmental research.

Physiologically based toxicokinetic modelling of Tri(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) in mice accounting for multiple exposure routes

Exposure routes are important for health risk assessment of chemical risks. The application of physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) models to predict concentrations in vivo can determine the effects of harmful substances and tissue accumulation on the premise of saving experimental costs. In this study, Tri(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), an organophosphate ester (OPE), was used as an example to study the PBTK model of mice exposed to different exposure doses by multiple routes. Different routes of exposure (gavage and intradermal injection) can cause differences in the concentration of chemicals in the organs. TCEP that enters the body through the mouth is mainly concentrated in the gastrointestinal tract and liver. However, the concentrations of chemicals that enter the skin into the mice are higher in skin, rest of body, and blood. In addition, TCEP was absorbed and accumulated very rapidly in mice, within half an hour after a single exposure. We have successfully established a mouse PBTK model of the TCEP accounting for multiple exposure Routes and obtained a series of kinetic parameters. The model includes blood, liver, kidney, stomach, intestine, skin, and rest of body compartments. Oral and dermal exposure route was considered for PBTK model. The PBTK model established in this study has a good predictive ability. More than 70% of the predicted values deviated from the measured values by less than 5-fold. In addition, we extrapolated the model to humans. A human PBTK model is built. We performed a health risk assessment for world populations based on human PBTK model. The risk of TCEP in dust is greater through mouth than through skin. The risk of TCEP in food of Chinese population is greater than dust.

Understanding the influence of polymeric ionic liquid sorbent coating substituents on cannabinoid and pesticide affinity in solid-phase microextraction

To understand factors that drive pesticide-cannabinoid selectivity in solid-phase microextraction (SPME), eight new polymeric ionic liquid (PIL) sorbent coatings were designed and compared to four previously reported PIL sorbent coatings for the extraction of pesticides. The four PIL sorbent coatings consisted of either vinylimidazolium or vinylbenzylimidazolium ILs with long alkyl chain substituents (i.e., -C8H17 or -C12H25) and bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide ([NTf2-]) anions, from which the eight new PIL sorbent coatings were adapted. Modifications to the chemical structure of IL monomers and crosslinkers included incorporation of polymerizable p-styrenesulfonate or 3-sulfopropyl acrylate anions, the addition of aromatic moieties, and/or the addition of polar functional groups (i.e., -OH or -O- groups). A total of ten commonly regulated pesticides and six cannabinoids were examined in this study. The effect of salt on the solubility of pesticides and cannabinoids in aqueous solutions was assessed by determining their extraction efficiencies in the presence of varied methanol content. Differences in their solubilities appear to play a dominant role in enhancing pesticide-cannabinoid selectivity. The selectivity, represented as the ratio of pesticide total peak areas to cannabinoid total peak areas, also exhibited a moderate correlation to the affinity of the sorbent coatings towards both the pesticides and the cannabinoids. A positive correlation was observed for the pesticides and a negative correlation was observed for the cannabinoids, suggesting that selectivity was driven by more than the presence of salt in the samples. The sorbent coatings' affinity towards each class of analytes were examined to determine specific interactions that might influence selectivity. The two main structural modifications increasing pesticide-cannabinoid selectivity included the absence of aromatic moieties and the addition of hydrogen bond donor functional groups. Extractions of simple aromatic molecules as probes were performed under similar extraction conditions as the cannabinoids and confirmed the influence of hydrogen bonding interactions on sorbent coating affinity.

Development of ultrasound-assisted extraction followed by solid-phase extraction followed by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by gas chromatography for the sensitive determination of diazinon in garden parsley as vegetable samples

A new pretreatment method termed ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) which is combined with solid-phase extraction which is combined with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (SPE-DLLME) followed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) analysis has been developed for the determination of diazinon in garden parsley as vegetable samples. The analyte was extracted from garden parsley sample using ultrasound-assisted extraction followed by solid-phase extraction followed by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction. Various parameters that affect the efficiency of the extraction techniques have been optimized. The calibration plot was linear in the range of 5.0–1,000 μg kg−1 with detection limit of 1.0 μg kg−1 for diazinon in garden parsley samples. The results confirm the suitability of the UAE-SPE-DLLME-GC-FID as a sensitive method for the analysis of the targeted analyte in garden parsley samples.

Determination of multiple organic flame retardants in maricultural water using High-volume/High-throughput Solid-phase extraction followed by liquid/gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid and efficient analytical method is proposed and optimized for the enrichment, extraction and instrument analysis of four typical organic flame retardants (OFRs), including organophosphate esters (OPEs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDs) and dechlorane compounds (Dechloranes) in maricultural waters using High-volume/High-throughput Solid-phase extraction with in-situ ultrasonic technique followed by high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS) instrumental detection. The optimized pretreatment conditions were that the analytes were enriched by XAD-2 resins and eluted repeatedly with 50 mL hexane/acetone (1:1, v:v) for 5 min. The results of method validation exhibited that the developed method can be used for quantitative detection of 11 OPEs, 13 PBDEs, 3 HBCDs and 5 Dechloranes in water samples. The method detection limits (MDLs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) are 0.4-26.2 pg/L and 1.5-87.4 pg/L for OPEs, 23.3-35.4 pg/L and 77.5-117.9 pg/L for HBCDs, 0.8-97.4 pg/L and 2.6-324.7 pg/L for PBDEs and 9.3-78.5 pg/L and 31.0-261.8 pg/L for Dechloranes, respectively. The method was successfully applied in lagoon maricultural areas in Hainan province, and the results showed that 4 OFRs were detected in almost all water samples. Total concentrations of 18 water samples were 1.89-39.97 ng/L for OPEs, 0.18-5.40 ng/L for PBDEs, ND-0.24 ng/L for HBCDs and 0.01-1.77 ng/L for Dechloranes, respectively. The optimized analytical method is highly sensitive and efficient with expectation to play an essential role in monitoring the ultra-trace organic pollutants and providing an effective risk assessment in ecological environment.

A review of organophosphate flame retardants and plasticizers in the environment: Analysis, occurrence and risk assessment

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are used as additives in flame retardants and plasticizers. Due to phase out of several congeners of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), the application of organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) is continuously increasing over the years. As a consequence, large amounts of OPEs enter the environment. Sewage and solid waste (especially e-waste) treatment plants are the important sources of OPEs released to the environment. Other sources include emissions of OPE-containing materials and vehicle fuel into the atmosphere. OPEs are widely detected in air, dust, water, soil, sediment and sludge. To know the pollution situation of OPEs, a variety of methods on their pretreatment and determination have been developed. We discussed and compared the analytical methods of OPEs, including extraction, purification as well as GC- and LC-based determination techniques. Much attention has been paid to OPEs because some of them are recognized highly toxic to biota, and the toxicological investigations of the most concerned OPEs were summarized. Risk assessments showed that the aquatic and benthic environments in some regions are under considerable ecological risks of OPEs. Finally, we pointed out problems in the current studies on OPEs and provided some suggestions for future research.

Solvent demulsification-dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic drop coupled with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for simultaneous determination of 13 organophosphate esters in aqueous samples

This study developed a novel method for the determination of 13 organophosphate esters (OPEs) in aqueous samples through the optimization of solvent demulsification-dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic drop procedure coupled with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The proposed method was rapid and accurate and could be used in field applications. Under the most suitable conditions, the limit of detection and limit of quantification ranged from 0.16 ng/L to 20.0 ng/L and from 0.55 ng/L to 66.7 ng/L, respectively. The enrichment factors (EFs) ranged from 30 to 46. The relative standard deviations were less than 15%. The spiked recoveries ranged between 68.2% and 97.7% in the analysis of actual aqueous samples. The proposed method was convenient, environment friendly, and time and solvent saving and could be used in field applications compared with other methods. Various concentrations and types of OPEs were detected in tap water, river water, and effluent of sewage treatment plant. Effluent samples had the highest detected levels and types of OPEs.

Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs): A review on analytical methods and occurrence in wastewater and aquatic environment

Nowadays, there is an increasing concern for organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) due to high production and use following the phase out and stringent regulation in the use of brominated flame retardants. OPFRs represent a group of compounds with a wide range in their polarity, solubility and persistence. OPFRs are widely used as flame retardants in various consumer products such as textiles, electronics, industrial materials and furniture to prevent the risk of fire. They are also utilized as plasticizers, antifoaming or anti-wear agents in lacquers, hydraulic fluids and floor polishing agents. The present review outlines the current state of knowledge regardimg the analytical methodology applied for their determination in wastewater and aquatic environment as well as their occurrence in water, wastewater, sediments and sludge. Knowledge gaps and future perspectives have been identified, which include the elucidation of sources, pathways and fate of OPFRs in aquatic environment and possible risks.

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry direct injection analysis of organophosphorus flame retardants in Ontario surface water and wastewater effluent

Organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) started to be used in plastics, electronics and furnishings back in the 1960s and became popular again last decade. They are now widely present in the environment and regarded as "new" emerging organic pollutants. An effective liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) direct injection analysis (DIA) method was developed to monitor OPFR levels in aquatic environment. The removal of sample extraction and concentration steps not only improved operation efficiency, but also reduced the potential contamination commonly observed during the sample preparation process before. Positive background signals from the analytical instrument were eliminated by employing a "trap" column in front of the sample injector while an ACE C18 and an ACE C18-PFP column were compared for the separation of OPFRs. Nineteen OPFR related compounds were evaluated and rapid signal drops were observed for seven of them including TOTP, TMTP, TPTP, TEHP, T35DMPP, T2iPPP and EHDP, due to their low water solubility. The other twelve compounds, TMP, TEP, TPrP, TiPP, TBP, TCEP, TCPP, TDCPP, TPP, TBEP, BDCP and BEHP, were included for the measurement of OPFRs in drinking water, surface water, ground water and wastewater effluent samples. The instrumental detection limits of these twelve OPFRs at signal-to-noise ≥3 were in the 1.5-30 ng/L range. The method was applied for the determination of OPFRs in surface water and wastewater samples in Ontario, Canada, and BEHP, TBEP, TBP, TCEP, TCPP, TDCPP, and TEP were commonly detected.

Graphene oxide/β-cyclodextrin composite as fiber coating for high efficiency headspace solid phase microextraction of organophosphate ester flame retardants in environmental water

The preparation of a GO/β-CD sol–gel stainless steel fiber coating and its application for HS-SPME of OPFR.

New trends in sample preparation techniques for environmental analysis

Environmental samples include a wide variety of complex matrices, with low concentrations of analytes and presence of several interferences. Sample preparation is a critical step and the main source of uncertainties in the analysis of environmental samples, and it is usually laborious, high cost, time consuming, and polluting. In this context, there is increasing interest in developing faster, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly sample preparation techniques. Recently, new methods have been developed and optimized in order to miniaturize extraction steps, to reduce solvent consumption or become solventless, and to automate systems. This review attempts to present an overview of the fundamentals, procedure, and application of the most recently developed sample preparation techniques for the extraction, cleanup, and concentration of organic pollutants from environmental samples. These techniques include: solid phase microextraction, on-line solid phase extraction, microextraction by packed sorbent, dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction, and QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe).

Disposable ionic liquid-coated etched stainless steel fiber for headspace solid-phase microextraction of organophosphorus flame retardants from water samples

An ionic liquid-coated etched stainless steel fiber was prepared for solid-phase microextraction of organophosphorus flame retardants from water.

Regional distribution of halogenated organophosphate flame retardants in seawater samples from three coastal cities in China

Thirteen samples of seawater were collected from Yellow Sea and East China Sea near Qingdao, Lianyungang, and Xiamen, China. They were analyzed for halogenated organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs). The compounds selected for detection were Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), Tris(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCPP), Tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP), and Tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate (TDBPP). The total concentrations ranged from 91.87 to 1392 ng/L and the mean concentrations of these four chemicals were 134.44, 84.12, 109.28, and 96.70 ng/L, respectively. TCEP exhibited the highest concentrations, although concentrations of TCPP and TDCPP were also fairly high in Lianyungang and Xiamen. Generally, Lianyungang was the most heavily polluted district, with very high concentrations of TCEP at LYG-2 (550.54 ng/L) and LYG-4 (617.92 ng/L). The main sources of halogenated OPFRs were municipal and industrial effluents of wastewater treatment plants in the nearby economic and industrial zones.

The Simultaneous Determination of Six Flame Retardants in Water Samples Using SPE Pre-concentration and UHPLC-UV Method

Analytical method for the determination of six flame retardants (FRs) from two groups was proposed. These groups included the brominated flame retardants (BFRs) 3,3',5,5'-tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), 1,2,5,6,9,10-hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and tetrabromophthalic anhydride (TBPA) and triester organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) tris(2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate (TBPP), ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDP) and triphenyl phosphate (TPhP). Reversed phase ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) with a UV detector, different chromatographic columns, different mobile phases and gradient elution programmes were used to obtain the best separations within the shortest possible time. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) was examined as a pre-concentration step from distilled water. The column with the highest recoveries (the Bond Elut ENV column gave recoveries over 70 % for all compounds) was then tested on 1-L blank surface water samples. The proposed analytical procedure was applied for the determination of FRs in surface water samples. The concentrations of FRs found in water samples ranged from 0.03 (TPhP) to 3.10 μg L^-1 (HBCD). Method detection limits (MDLs) ranged from 0.008 to 0.518 μg L^-1, and method quantification limits (MQLs) ranged from 0.023 to 1.555 μg L^-1 for all compounds.

Application of fully automatic hollow fiber liquid phase microextraction to assess the distribution of organophosphate esters in the Pearl River Estuaries

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are widespread organic pollutants that could be detected in various environmental matrices. In this study, a sample pretreatment method was developed for the determination of 9 OPEs by automatic hollow fiber-liquid phase microextraction (HF-LPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). High sensitivity of OPEs could be achieved after optimization of several important parameters with the limits of detection (LODs) ranging from 2.6 to 120 ng L(-1) for different individual OPEs, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) ranged from 2.1% to 10.4%. Acceptable recoveries were observed and the proposed method was then successfully applied to determine OPEs in seawaters collected from 23 sampling sites of the Pearl River Estuaries in dry and wet seasons, respectively. All of the OPEs could be detected, except tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (TEHP). The total concentrations of 9 OPEs in seawaters were ranging from 2.04 (Hemen) to 3.12 (Humen) μg L(-1) in the dry season and from 1.08 (Hemen) to 2.50 (Jitimen) μgL(-1) in the wet season. By using spatial interpolation method of ordinary kriging, the most polluted area of ΣOPEs was found in Humen in the dry season, while it was Jitimen in the wet season. Moreover, the annual input of ΣOPEs discharged via eight estuaries ranged from 384 tons (Jitimen) to 1,225 tons (Modaomen), and the total annual input was 5,694 tons.

Dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction combined with ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry for determination of organophosphate esters in aqueous samples

A new technique was established to identify eight organophosphate esters (OPEs) in this work. It utilised dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction in combination with ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. The type and volume of extraction solvents, dispersion agent, and amount of NaCl were optimized. The target analytes were detected in the range of 1.0-200 µ g/L with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.9982 to 0.9998, and the detection limits of the analytes were ranged from 0.02 to 0.07 µg/L (S/N = 3). The feasibility of this method was demonstrated by identifying OPEs in aqueous samples that exhibited spiked recoveries, which ranged between 48.7% and 58.3% for triethyl phosphate (TEP) as well as between 85.9% and 113% for the other OPEs. The precision was ranged from 3.2% to 9.3% (n = 6), and the interprecision was ranged from 2.6% to 12.3% (n = 5). Only 2 of the 12 selected samples were tested to be positive for OPEs, and the total concentrations of OPEs in them were 1.1 and 1.6 µg/L, respectively. This method was confirmed to be simple, fast, and accurate for identifying OPEs in aqueous samples.

Rapid spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of palladium in water samples after dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction

A simple, rapid, and efficient dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method, followed by UV-Vis spectrophotometry was developed for the preconcentration and determination of Pd ions in water samples. Pd ions react with α-furildioxime (chelating agent) to form a hydrophobic complex. Various parameters were altered to study and optimize their effects on the extraction efficiency, such as pH, ligand concentration, the type and volume of extraction and dispersive solvents, extraction time, and salt concentration. Under optimized conditions, the method exhibited an enrichment factor (C org/C aq) of 25 and recovery more than 98 % within a very short extraction time. The linearity of the method ranged from 10 to 200 μg L(-1). The limit of detection was 1.1 μg L(-1). The relative standard deviation for the concentration of 100 μg L(-1) of Pd was 2.3 % (n = 10). Finally, the developed method was successfully applied to the extraction and determination of Pd in tap, river, mineral, and sea water samples.

Determination of three phenoxyacid herbicides in environmental water samples by the application of dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction coupled with micellar electrokinetic chromatography

Abstract An efficient method based on dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction coupled with micellar electrokinetic chromatography has been developed for determination of three phenoxyacid herbicides (PAs) of 2,4-dichlorophenoxybutyric acid (2,4-DB), dicamba and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), in environmental water samples. The types and volumes of extracting and dispersing solvents, ionic strength, extraction and centrifugation time and centrifugation speed were investigated. Successful separation of the three PAs was achieved within 7 min, by using the background electrolyte solution consisting of 10 mmol L−1 sodium tetraborate, 25 mmol L−1 sodium dodecyl sulfate and 15% (v/v) methanol, at pH 9.75. Excellent analytical performances were attained, such as good linear relationships (R ≥0.9993) between peak area and concentration for each PAs from 10–1000 ng mL−1, limits of detection of 1.56–1.91 ng mL−1, and intra-day precisions at two spiked levels in terms of migration time and peak area within the range of 0.22–0.42% and 3.88–6.39%, respectively. Enrichment factors of 2,4-DB, dicamba and 2,4-D were 180, 151 and 216, respectively. The method recoveries obtained at fortified 20.0, 50.0 and 100.0 ng mL−1 for lake, river and reservoir water samples varied from 67.91 to 119.07% with the relative standard deviation of 1.47–6.89%. Graphical abstract

Ionic liquid-based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction for the determination of formaldehyde in wastewaters and detergents

Spectrophotometry in combination with ionic liquid-based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) was applied for the extraction and determination of formaldehyde in real samples. The method is based on the reaction of formaldehyde with methyl acetoacetate in the presence of ammonia. The variation in the absorbance of the reaction product was measured at 375 nm. An appropriate mixture of ethanol (disperser solvent) and ionic liquid, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazoliumhexafluoro-phosphate [C(6)MIM][PF(6)] (extraction solvent) was rapidly injected into a water sample containing formaldehyde. After extraction, sedimented phase was analyzed by spectrophotometry. Under the optimum conditions, the calibration graph was linear in the range of 0.1-20 ng mL(-1) with the detection limit of 0.02 ng mL(-1) and limit of quantification of 0.08 ng mL(-1) for formaldehyde. The relative standard deviation (RSD%, n = 5) for the extraction and determination of 0.8 ng mL(-1) of formaldehyde in the aqueous samples was 2.5%. The results showed that DLLME is a very simple, rapid, sensitive, and efficient analytical method for the determination of trace amounts of formaldehyde in wastewaters and detergents, and suitable results were obtained.

pH-controlled dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction for the analysis of ionisable compounds in complex matrices: Case study of ochratoxin A in cereals

A new sample preparation procedure, termed pH-controlled dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (pH-DLLME), has been developed for the analysis of ionisable compounds in highly complex matrices. This DLLME mode, intended to improve the selectivity and to expand the application range of DLLME, is based on two successive DLLMEs conducted at opposite pH values. pH-DLLME was applied to determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) in cereals. The hydrophobic matrix interferences in the raw methanol extract (disperser, 1mL) were removed by a first DLLME (I DLLME) performed at pH 8 to reduce the solubility of OTA in the extractant (CCl(4), 400μL). The pH of the aqueous phase was then adjusted to 2, and the analyte was extracted and concentrated by a second DLLME (extractant, 150μL C(2)H(4)Br(2)). The main factors influencing the efficiency of pH-DLLME including type and volume of I DLLME extractant, as well as the parameters affecting the OTA extraction by II DLLME, were studied in detail. Under optimum conditions, the method has detection and quantification limits of 0.019 and 0.062μg kg(-1), respectively, with OTA recoveries in the range of 81.2-90.1% (n=3). The accuracy of the analytical procedure, evaluated with a reference material (cereal naturally contaminated with OTA), is acceptable (accuracy of 85.6%±1.7, n=5). The applicability of pH-DLLME to the selective extraction of other ionisable compounds, such as acidic and basic pharmaceutical products was also demonstrated. The additional advantages of pH-DLLME are a higher selectivity and the extension of this microextraction technique to highly complex matrices.