Critical aspects in the determination of the antifouling compound dichlofluanid and its metabolite DMSA (N,N-dimethy-N′-phenylsulfamide) in seawater and marine sediments

A straightforward method based on GC-MS was developed to determine the booster biocide dichlofluanid and its metabolite DMSA in sediment and water. Special attention was paid to conservation of samples, conversion of dichlofluanid to DMSA during analysis and the effect dichlofluanid-containing paint particles might have on the analysis results. The analytical method is suitable for the quantitative determination of clichlofluanid and its metabolite DMSA in seawater down to a level of 10 ng L-1. Dichlofluanid could not be detected in marine sediment as it was immediately degraded to DMSA. However, clichlofluanid could be determined as DMSA. The analytical method is suitable for the determination of DMSA in marine sediment down to 5 mu g kg(-1) (wet weight).