Using QuEChERS for Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in Sediments: One Extraction, Many Analyses
Oral Presentation
Prepared by E. Nelson, S. Estil, S. Carr
Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, 1955 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, CA, 90601, United States
Contact Information: enelson@lacsd.org; 562-908-4288
ABSTRACT
Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) is a term used to describe a wide range of chemicals that may impact environmental and human health. We recently began to look for these compounds in sediments from the southern California coast and inland waters. By modifying existing QuEChERS methods used for measuring pesticides in produce, we were able to effectively measure several suites of CECs in one (or two) extractions. Modifications were simple and resulted in less prep time with better analytical sensitivity compared to other sediment extraction techniques. Contaminant suites included steroidal hormones, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pyrethroid pesticides and alkylphenol polyethoxylate metabolites. However, we found that not all compounds of interest are amenable to the QuEChERS methods. Despite the few uncooperative analytes, these techniques should be very useful in the cost effective monitoring of large numbers of samples, reducing both solvent and labor.
Oral Presentation
Prepared by E. Nelson, S. Estil, S. Carr
Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, 1955 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, CA, 90601, United States
Contact Information: enelson@lacsd.org; 562-908-4288
ABSTRACT
Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) is a term used to describe a wide range of chemicals that may impact environmental and human health. We recently began to look for these compounds in sediments from the southern California coast and inland waters. By modifying existing QuEChERS methods used for measuring pesticides in produce, we were able to effectively measure several suites of CECs in one (or two) extractions. Modifications were simple and resulted in less prep time with better analytical sensitivity compared to other sediment extraction techniques. Contaminant suites included steroidal hormones, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pyrethroid pesticides and alkylphenol polyethoxylate metabolites. However, we found that not all compounds of interest are amenable to the QuEChERS methods. Despite the few uncooperative analytes, these techniques should be very useful in the cost effective monitoring of large numbers of samples, reducing both solvent and labor.
