A novel method through solid phase extraction combined with gradient elution for concentration and separation of 66（ultra）trace persistent toxic pollutants in Antarctic waters

Abstract This study developed a method to perform the simultaneous concentration and selective separation of 66 (ultra) trace persistent toxic substances in Antarctic waters. The substances included 30 polychlorinated biphenyls, 17 organochlorine pesticides, 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, 3 hexabromocyclododecanes. Solid phase extraction was performed using a C 18 membrane and silica gel column. Gradient elution was conducted using organic solvents with different polarities; as a result, the efficiency of the C 18 film is improved and the interferences from impurities and target compounds are eliminated. Extracts were subsequently analyzed through gas chromatography or liquid and gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Method validation yielded the following values: recoveries of all target analytes in the Antarctic water ranged from 87.3% to 117.6% and reproducibility as percent relative standard deviation was lower than 5%. Quantification limits ranged from 0.004 μg L −1 to 0.030 μg L −1 . The established method improved the recoveries and reduced the limits of detection. Results indicated the method exhibited good performance in the simultaneous concentration and selective separation of 66 (ultra) trace organic pollutants; Therefore, the proposed sample pretreatment can potentially eliminate the effects of various classes of impurities to some extent.