Direct determination of chlorophenols in landfill leachates by solid-phase micro-extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Porous agarose/chitosan/graphene oxide composite coupled with deep eutectic solvent for thin film microextraction of chlorophenols

In this project, a three-dimensional graphene oxide coated agarose/chitosan (ACGO) porous film was synthesized and utilized as sorbent in thin film microextraction (TFME) technique to extract 4-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 3,5-dichlorophenol and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol as the model analytes in various real samples such as agricultural waste water, honey and tea samples. In addition, deep eutectic solvent made of tetra ethyl ammonium chloride/chlorine chloride was used as a desorption solvent. The effect of various variables, such as: extraction time, stirring rate, solvent desorption volume, desorption time, ionic strength and solution pH on the extraction efficiency of the method was studied and optimized. Under the optimized condition, the linear range of the method was obtained in the range of 0.1-500μgL^-1 for testing analytes (4-chloropheol=0.1-500μgL^-1, 2,4-dichlorophenol=0.2-500μgL^-1, 3,5-dichlorophenol=0.5-500μgL^-1 and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol=0.2-500μgL^-1). The obtained correlation coefficients (r²) were between 0.9984 and 0.9994. The limits of detection (LODs) were also calculated between 0.03 - 0.13μgL^-1. The relative standard deviations (RSDs%) were obtained in the range of 2.8 to 5.9%. The enrichment factor (EFs) values for the studied analytes were also obtained in the range of 33.4-35.8. In addition, the obtained results indicated that the prepared film can potentially be used for more applications in the field of environment, food safety, and drug analysis.

Covalent Organic Framework as Fiber Coating for Solid-Phase Microextraction of Chlorophenols Followed by Quantification with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was adopted for the simultaneous determination of seven chlorophenols (CPs) from honey and canned-yellow-peach samples. A covalent organic framework made of 1,3,5-triformylphloroglucinol (Tp) and benzidine (BD) was used as the SPME fiber coating to preconcentrate the acetylation derivatives of the CPs. The main experimental parameters including derivatization conditions, extraction temperature and time, headspace volume, salt concentration, and desorption temperature were investigated. The fiber showed a high extraction capability for the CPs. The limits of detection (LODs) for the analytes were 0.3-0.7 μg kg^-1 for honey and 0.8-1.8 μg kg^-1 for canned-yellow-peach samples, suggesting good sensitivity for the method. The response linearity was 2.4-250 μg kg^-1 for 2-CP and 3,4-CP and 1.0-150 μg kg^-1 for the other remaining analytes in the honey samples. For the canned-yellow-peach samples, the response linearity was 6.0-300 μg kg^-1 for 2-CP and 3,4-CP and 3.0-200 μg kg^-1 for the others. The correlation coefficients were higher than 0.9919. Good repeatability (RSD < 11.9%) for the method and high recoveries (70.2-113%) of the analytes were observed under the optimal conditions. The established method was satisfactorily applied for the analysis of honey and canned-yellow-peach samples.

A label-free electrochemical system for comprehensive monitoring of o-chlorophenol

o-Chlorophenol (OCP) is a priority pollutant that poses serious health threats to the public. The following study designs a simple electrochemical system to monitor the concentration and toxicity of OCP. This system was primarily characterized by the integration of both physicochemical and biological monitoring procedures that had a synergistic effect between the functionalized carbon nanotubes and rhodamine B. This resulted in excellent electrocatalytic activities toward OCP and cellular purine bases. The peak current of OCP was linear with concentrations ranging from 0.05-125.0 μM and the detection limit was 0.028 μM under optimal testing conditions. There was an enhanced voltammetric signal detected that was caused by the guanine/xanthine of human hepatoma (HepG2) cells. The cytotoxicity of OCP to HepG2 cells was assessed using the proposed system. The obtained IC₅₀ value was 512.86 μM. This study provided a fast, label-free, and low-cost platform for the comprehensive assessment of OCP. This is highly beneficial for simplifying the environmental monitoring process.

Fabric Phase Sorptive Extraction Explained

The theory and working principle of fabric phase sorptive extraction (FPSE) is presented. FPSE innovatively integrates the benefits of sol–gel coating technology and the rich surface chemistry of cellulose/polyester/fiberglass fabrics, resulting in a microextraction device with very high sorbent loading in the form of an ultra-thin coating. This porous sorbent coating and the permeable substrate synergistically facilitate fast extraction equilibrium. The flexibility of the FPSE device allows its direct insertion into original, unmodified samples of different origin. Strong chemical bonding between the sol–gel sorbent and the fabric substrate permits the exposure of FPSE devices to any organic solvent for analyte back-extraction/elution. As a representative sorbent, sol–gel poly(ethylene glycol) coating was generated on cellulose substrates. Five (cm2) segments of these coated fabrics were used as the FPSE devices for sample preparation using direct immersion mode. An important class of environmental pollutants—substituted phenols—was used as model compounds to evaluate the extraction performance of FPSE. The high primary contact surface area (PCSA) of the FPSE device and porous structure of the sol–gel coatings resulted in very high sample capacities and incredible extraction sensitivities in a relatively short period of time. Different extraction parameters were evaluated and optimized. The new extraction devices demonstrated part per trillion level detection limits for substitute phenols, a wide range of detection linearity, and good performance reproducibility.

Planar graphene oxide-based magnetic ionic liquid nanomaterial for extraction of chlorophenols from environmental water samples coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A planar graphene oxide-based magnetic ionic liquid nanomaterial (PGO-MILN) was synthesized. The prepared PGO-MILN was characterized by transmission electronmicroscopy (TEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR). The results of adsorption experiments showed that the PGO-MILN had great adsorption capacity for 2-chlorophenol (2-CP), 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP), 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol (2,3,4,6-TeCP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP). Based on the adsorption experimental data, a sensitive magnetic method for determination of the five CPs in environmental water samples was developed by an effective magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) procedure coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The effects of main MSPE parameters including the solution pH, extraction time, desorption time, and volume of desorption solution on the extraction efficiencies had been investigated in detail. The recoveries ranged from 85.3 to 99.3% with correlation coefficients (r) higher than 0.9994 and the linear ranges were between 10 and 500ngL(-1). The limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) of the five CPs ranged from 0.2 to 2.6ngL(-1) and 0.6 to 8.7ngL(-1), respectively. The intra- and inter- day relative standard deviations (RSDs) were in the range from 0.6% to 7.4% and from 0.7% to 8.4%, respectively. It was confirmed that the PGO-MILN was a kind of highly effective MSPE materials used for enrichment of trace CPs in the environmental water.

The Performance of Four Different Mineral Liners on the Transportation of Chlorinated Phenolic Compounds to Groundwater in Landfills

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of four different mineral liners (clay, bentonite, kaoline, and zeolite) which could be utilized to prevent the transport of phenolic compounds to groundwater through alternative liner systems. Four laboratory-scale HDPE reactors with 80 cm height and 40 cm inner diameter were operated for a period of 180 days. Results indicated that the transport of mono- or dichlorophenols is significantly prevented by the liner systems used, while the transport of highly chlorinated phenolic compounds cannot be prevented by the landfill liner system effectively. Highly chlorinated phenolic compounds in groundwater can be found in higher concentrations than the leachate, as a result of the degradation and transformation of these compounds. Thus, the analysis of highly chlorinated phenolic compounds such as 2,4,6-TCP, 2,3,6-TCP, 3,4,5-TCP, and PCP is of great significance for the studies to be conducted on the contamination of groundwater around landfills.

New trends in sample preparation techniques for environmental analysis

Environmental samples include a wide variety of complex matrices, with low concentrations of analytes and presence of several interferences. Sample preparation is a critical step and the main source of uncertainties in the analysis of environmental samples, and it is usually laborious, high cost, time consuming, and polluting. In this context, there is increasing interest in developing faster, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly sample preparation techniques. Recently, new methods have been developed and optimized in order to miniaturize extraction steps, to reduce solvent consumption or become solventless, and to automate systems. This review attempts to present an overview of the fundamentals, procedure, and application of the most recently developed sample preparation techniques for the extraction, cleanup, and concentration of organic pollutants from environmental samples. These techniques include: solid phase microextraction, on-line solid phase extraction, microextraction by packed sorbent, dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction, and QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe).

Synthesis of a metal-organic framework confined in periodic mesoporous silica with enhanced hydrostability as a novel fiber coating for solid-phase microextraction

A metal-organic framework/periodic mesoporous silica (MOF-5@SBA-15) hybrid material has been prepared by using SBA-15 as a matrix. The prepared MOF-5@SBA-15 hybrid material was then deposited on a stainless-steel wire to obtain the fiber for the solid-phase microextraction of phenolic compounds. Modifications in the metal-organic framework structure have proven to improve the extraction performance of MOF/SBA-15 hybrid materials, compared to pure MOF-5 and SBA-15. Optimum conditions include an extraction temperature of 75°C, a desorption temperature of 260°C, and a salt concentration of 20% w/v. The dynamic linear range and limit of detection range from 0.1-500 and from 0.01-3.12 ng/mL, respectively. The repeatability for one fiber (n = 3), expressed as relative standard deviation, is between 4.3 and 9.6%. The method offers the advantage of being simple to use, rapid, and low cost, the thermal stability of the fiber, and high relative recovery (compared to conventional methods) represent additional attractive features.

New biomimetic approach to determine the bioavailability of triclosan in soils and its validation with the wheat plant uptake bioassay

A new biomimetic approach for triclosan (TCS) was developed based on the leaching of the analyte from different biosolid-amended agricultural soils and the subsequent extraction of the leachates, using a rotating disk sorptive extraction (RDSE) procedure. The leaching equilibrium for TCS was reached at 3h when the ISO method (ISO/TS 21268-1:2007) was followed. The concentrations determined by this biomimetic method were compared with the bioavailability of TCS, determined by its accumulation in the roots of wheat plants grown in the same soil-biosolid systems. It was observed that the amount of organic matter in the soil matrix was a determining factor for mobilization of TCS. An increasing biosolid rate applied to soils resulted in a reduced mobility of TCS because the high amount of organic matter provided by the biosolid increased the hydrophobic interaction between TCS and the matrix. Similarly, increasing biosolid concentrations in the soil significantly decreased the bioavailability of TCS to the wheat plant. Thus, the bioavailability factor in wheat roots decreased from 0.22 to 0.08 for a soil having a pH of 8.2, when the biosolid rate was increased from 30 to 200 Mg ha(-1), respectively. A significant correlation (R=0.98) was obtained between TCS concentration in wheat plants and the proposed biomimetic methodology, indicating that the latter can predict the bioavailability in a time period as short as 180 min. The results of this study confirm our previous findings that amending soils with biosolids is beneficial for immobilizing low polarity contaminants and helps prevent their percolation through the soil profile and into groundwater.

Preparation and evaluation of a layered double hydroxide film on a nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide/aluminum wire as a highly thermal-resistant solid-phase microextraction fiber

A hierarchical layered double hydroxide framework on a nonporous anodic aluminum oxide/aluminum wire was used as a solid phase microextraction fiber for separation and determination of phenolic compounds.