Analysis of Volatile Methylsiloxanes in Water using a Small-scale Liquid-liquid Extraction Method followed by Gas Chromatography-mass Spectrometry (LLE-GC-MS)

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Fábio Bernardo
Nuno Ratola
Arminda Alves
Vera Homem

Abstract

Volatile methylsiloxanes (VMS) are ubiquitous anthropogenic pollutants that have been under scrutiny for their potential toxicity and environmental persistence. The aim of this work was to develop and validate a fast and reliable methodology to determine seven VMSs (D3, D4, D5, D6, L3, L4 and L5) in water matrices, based on a small-scale liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) assisted by ultrasounds and using a low volume of organic solvents. VMSs were quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). This methodology was successfully validated, showing low detection limits and a good precision (most of the relative standard deviations values below 15%) and accuracy (53-108%). Wastewater samples were analyzed and D5 and D6 were the dominant compounds in influent streams, with similar concentrations to those found in literature (up to 7 µg L-1). Most effluent samples presented VMSs levels below the limits of detection, with only D5 reaching up to 0.05 µg L-1.

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Author Biographies

Fábio Bernardo, LEPABE, University of Porto

LEPABE - Laboratory for Process, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy

Chemical Engineering Department

Faculty of Engineering

University of Porto

Rua Dr. Roberto Frias

4200-465 PORTO

Portugal

Nuno Ratola, LEPABE, University of Porto

LEPABE - Laboratory for Process, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy

Chemical Engineering Department

Faculty of Engineering

University of Porto

Rua Dr. Roberto Frias

4200-465 PORTO

Portugal

Arminda Alves, LEPABE, University of Porto

LEPABE - Laboratory for Process, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy

Chemical Engineering Department

Faculty of Engineering

University of Porto

Rua Dr. Roberto Frias

4200-465 PORTO

Portugal

Vera Homem, LEPABE, University of Porto

LEPABE - Laboratory for Process, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy

Chemical Engineering Department

Faculty of Engineering

University of Porto

Rua Dr. Roberto Frias

4200-465 PORTO

Portugal