Simultaneous Determination of Polychlorinated Biphenyls, Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and Organophosphate Flame Retardants in Sediments Using Accelerated Solvent Extraction-Column Purification-Solid Phase Extraction method

An analytical method for simultaneous determination of three organic pollutants , including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and organic phosphorus flame retardants (OPERs), in sediments was developed. Accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) was used to extract the targets from sediment samples, and the extracts were purified by solid phase extraction coupled with chromatography column purification. After optimization of the reaction conditions, the recoveries were 104.1% -121.7% for PCBs, 80.7% -101.6% 14 PBDEs, and 80.7% -132.2% 14 OPFRs. The developed method effectively eliminated the matrix effects. The method was verified by SRM-1944, showing satisfying accuracy. The method was further applied to detection of 20 surface sediment samples collected from the Yellow River Delta, and 12 compounds including PBDEs and OPFRs were detected with the concentration ranges of 0.01-0.38 ng/g and 1.18-21.99 ng/g. The results showed that the content of organophosphorus flameretardants in this area was higher than that of brominated flame retardants, and the method could be used for the detection of real samples.

Automated summary

An analytical method for simultaneous determination of three organic pollutants in sediments was developed, showing effective elimination of matrix effects and satisfying accuracy. The method was verified by experiments and successfully applied to the detection of real samples.