Influence of the soil matrices on the analytical performance of headspace solid-phase microextraction for organotin analysis by gas chromatography-pulsed flame photometric detection

The use of isotopically enriched tin tracers to follow the transformation of organotin compounds in landfill leachate

Landfill leachates are an important pool of organotin compounds (OTCs). Several studies have been performed on the occurrence of OTCs in landfill leachates, but only a few of them report degradation and biomethylation processes by bacteria. In the present study transformation of OTCs in landfill leachate was investigated under simulated landfill conditions over a time span of six months. The degradation and biomethylation processes of OTCs were followed by the use of isotopically enriched tin tracers, namely (117)Sn-enriched tributyltin (TBT), (119)Sn-enriched dibutyltin (DBT), (117)Sn-enriched SnCl2, (117)Sn-enriched SnCl4 and a (119)Sn-enriched butyltin mix containing TBT, DBT and monobutyltin (MBT). Transformation of OTCs in spiked leachates was followed at m/z of the enriched spikes and at m/z 120, which allowed simultaneous observation of the transformation of OTCs in the leachate itself and of the added spike. In parallel, these processes were also monitored in a non-spiked leachate sample at m/z 120. Quantification of OTCs was performed by gas chromatography - inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (GC-ICP-MS). To discriminate the biotic and abiotic transformations of OTCs and inorganic tin species, sterilization of leachate was also performed and data compared to non-sterilized samples. During the course of the experiment the microbial degradation of TBT was clearly manifested in Sn-enriched spiked leachate samples, while abiotic pathway of degradation was observed for DBT. Biomethylation process was also observed in the leachate spiked with Sn-enriched Sn(2+) or Sn(4+), in concentrations close to those found for total tin in landfill leachates. Monomethyltin (MMeT) was formed first. Stepwise alkylation resulted in dimethyltin (DMeT) and trimethyltin (TMeT) species formation. Hydrolysis of Sn(2+) and Sn(4+) species was found to be a limiting factor which controlled the extent of methyltin formation. The results of the present investigation importantly contribute to a better understanding of the processes that OTCs undergo in leachates, and provide useful information to managers of landfills in taking measures necessary to prevent the release of toxic methyltin species to the nearby environment.

Recent developments in headspace microextraction techniques for the analysis of environmental contaminants in different matrices

Headspace microextraction procedures such as solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and single drop microextraction (SDME) or liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) are increasingly used for the extraction of environmental organic pollutants from a variety of aqueous, viscous, semisolid and solid environmental and biological matrices. In this article, recent analytical applications of these methodologies when used as an isolation and trace enrichment step prior to the analysis of organic pollutants (pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated compounds, organotin compounds, phenolic derivatives, aromatic amines, phthalates, etc.) by gas and liquid chromatography are reviewed. The applicability and inherent limitations of headspace microextraction are also discussed. The future direction of research in this field and general trends toward commercial applications are considered.