Determination of 17 Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Sediments Using Automated Solid Phase Extraction and Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are used in a variety of industrial and household applications. Unfortunately, they are released to the environment including aquatic ecosystems and undergo accumulation processes (e.g., in sediment). Due to these aspects but also toxicity, PFASs can pose a threat to the environment and humans, so their determination (mainly with liquid chromatography) in environmental samples is very important. In this study, a new analytical procedure is shown which allows the determination of 17 PFASs (13 carboxylic and 4 sulfonic acids) in sediment using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry detection (UHPLC–MS/MS). Extracts were cleaned up by automated solid phase extraction using a commercially available weakly basic secondary and tertiary ammonium polymeric anion exchange sorbent. The method precision range was 0.29–9.8% for all PFASs. Recoveries of extraction for automated system were acceptable (for all PFASs 60–105%) and better than manual extraction. The method detection limit range was from 0.090 to 3.7 pg g−1 dry weight (d.w.) of sediment. The proposed method is rapid, sensitive and suitable for determination of up to 17 PFASs in sediment. These are the first studies in the area of the mouth of the Vistula River. Generally, in most collected sediments samples no analytes were detected above the method detection limits.