Simultaneous and Rapid Analysis of Multiclass Emerging Contaminants Using a Column-Switching LC-MS Method

Contaminants
of emerging concern (CECs) in aquatic environments
have attracted a considerable amount of attention from the public
and regulatory groups. Due to their wide variety of chemical properties,
simultaneous analysis of multiclass CECs presents a great challenge.
This study develops an innovative liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry
(LC-MS) method that integrates both large volume injection (LVI) and
online solid phase extraction to quantify 102 CECs. The method utilizes
three columns: a reversed phase (RP) column, a custom-built mixed
weak cation/anion exchange trap column, and a mixed-mode ion exchange
(MMIE) column. With valve switching, highly polar/ionic CECs that
are not retained by the RP column are captured by the trap column
while other CECs are separated by the RP column. Subsequently, the
trapped highly polar/ionic CECs are transferred to the MMIE column
for further separation. Matrix effects from sewage effluent and urine
samples were assessed, and the method accuracy and precision were
also determined using spike recovery. LVI notably enhanced the method
sensitivity, with the method quantification limits for 93 of the 102
CECs in various water matrices being <10 ng L–1. Overall, this novel column-switching LC-MS method enables the rapid
and simultaneous determination of multiclass CECs in diverse aqueous
samples.