Abstract
Linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) have been determined in samples of the influent and the effluent, and in the sludge, from sewage-treatment plants (STP). LAS and sulfophenyl carboxylate compounds (SPC) were isolated by solid-phase extraction (SPE) with the polymeric phase Isolute ENV, then determined by liquid chromatography–electrospray mass spectrometry (LC–ESI–MS). The method enabled unequivocal identification of C10–C13 LAS by monitoring the ion at m/z 183 and the base peak corresponding to the [M–H]– ion. Average recoveries varied from 77–93% and the linear range of the method varied from 0.2 to 10 µg L–1, with a limit of detection ranging from 10 ng L–1 to 1.5 µg L–1 when 200 mL waste water were preconcentrated. For sewage sludge, recoveries varied from 58 to 90% and the linear range was between 0.2 and 100 µg L–1, with a detection limit ranging from 0.4 to 120 µg kg–1 when 2.5 g sewage sludge was extracted. Unequivocal identification and determination of some metabolites of the LAS, the sulfophenyl carboxylate compounds (SPC), was achieved by monitoring [M–H]– ions.
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Riu, J., Martínez, E., Barceló, D. et al. LC–MS determination of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates and their carboxylic degradation products in influent and effluent water samples and sludges from sewage-treatment plants. Fresenius J Anal Chem 371, 448–455 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002160101052
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002160101052