On-line solid-phase extraction coupled to liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for the analysis of cyanotoxins in algal blooms.

An analytical method based on on-line SPE-LC-HESI-MS/MS has been developed for the detection and quantification of eight selected cyanotoxins in algal bloom waters that include mycrocystins, anatoxin-a and cylindrospermopsin. The injection volume was 2 mL according to the expected concentration of cyanotoxins in matrix. The method provides an analysis time of 7 min per sample, acceptable recovery values (91-101%), good precision (RSD < 13%) and method limits of detection at the sub-microgram per liter levels (0.

Total microcystins analysis in water using laser diode thermal desorption-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-tandem mass spectrometry.

A new approach for the analysis of the cyanobacterial microcystins (MCs) in environmental water matrices has been developed. It offers a cost efficient alternative method for the fast quantification of total MCs using mass spectrometry. This approach permits the quantification of total MCs concentrations without requiring any derivatization or the use of a suite of MCs standards.

Determination of six chemotherapeutic agents in municipal wastewater using online solid-phase extraction coupled to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Due to the increased consumption of chemotherapeutic agents, their high toxicity, carcinogenicity, their occurrence in the aquatic environment must be properly evaluated. An analytical method based on online solid-phase extraction coupled to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was developed and validated. A 1 mL injection volume was used to quantify six of the most widely used cytotoxic drugs (cyclophosphamide, gemcitabine, ifosfamide, methotrexate, irinotecan and epirubicin) in municipal wastewater.

On-line solid-phase extraction coupled to liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry optimized for the analysis of steroid hormones in urban wastewaters.

An analytical method based on on-line SPE-LC-APCI-MS/MS has been developed for the detection and quantification of eight selected estrogenic and progestagenic steroid hormones; estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), levonorgestrel (LEVO), medroxyprogesterone (MEDRO), norethindrone (NORE) and progesterone (PROG) in wastewater matrices. The injection volume could range from 1 to 10-mL according to the expected concentration of steroid hormones in matrix. The method characteristics are: analysis time per sample (<15 min), acceptable recovery values (71-95%), good precision (RSD ≤ 10%) and limits of detection at the low-nanogram per liter levels in affluent and effluent wastewaters (8-60 ng L(-1)).

Degradation of progestagens by oxidation with potassium permanganate in wastewater effluents.

Background: This study investigated the oxidation of selected progestagenic steroid hormones by potassium permanganate at pH 6.0 and 8.0 in ultrapure water and wastewater effluents, using bench-scale assays.

Development of a new multi-residue laser diode thermal desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry method for the detection and quantification of pesticides and pharmaceuticals in wastewater samples.

A new solid phase extraction (SPE) method coupled to a high throughput sample analysis technique was developed for the simultaneous determination of nine selected emerging contaminants in wastewater (atrazine, desethylatrazine, 17β-estradiol, ethynylestradiol, norethindrone, caffeine, carbamazepine, diclofenac and sulfamethoxazole). We specifically included pharmaceutical compounds from multiple therapeutic classes, as well as pesticides. Sample pre-concentration and clean-up was performed using a mixed-mode SPE cartridge (Strata ABW) having both cation and anion exchange properties, followed by analysis by laser diode thermal desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionization coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LDTD-APCI-MS/MS).

Laser diode thermal desorption/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry analysis of selected steroid hormones in wastewater: method optimization and application.

A rapid and reliable method enabling high-throughput sample analysis for quicker data generation, detection, and monitoring of eight selected steroid hormones in water matrixes was developed and validated. Our approach is based on a novel sample introduction method, the laser diode thermal desorption/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (LDTD/APCI) coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The optimization of instrumental parameters and a method application are presented.

Total mercury determination in sand boxes from Montreal.

Direct mercury analysis was successfully applied to determine trace levels of total mercury in samples from sand boxes in Montréal (Québec, Canada). Twenty sand boxes were sampled from across the city and divided into two size fractions, a fine fraction (<100 microm) and a whole fraction. The concentrations of mercury ranged from 1.