UPLC-MS/MS Determination of Organophosphorus Flame Retardants and Ultraviolet Absorbers in River Water and STP Effluent Samples

A sensitive, selective and rapid method for the analysis of organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs) and ultraviolet absorbers (UVAs) in river water and STP effluent samples by solid-phase extraction (SPE) with ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLCMS/MS) was developed. It allows the determination of 8 OPFRs and 6 UVAs. A single SPE consisting on the loading 200 ml of sample adjusted to pH 2 on Oasis HLB 60 mg cartridges and elution with methanol and dichloromethane, permitted obtaining good recoveries of higher than 60% for river water and STP effluent, except for TEEdP and UV-328 in STP effluent. The developed method was applied to the determination of target analytes in various samples, including river water and wastewater. Among the tested emerging pollutants, UV-P alone was found in river water at 72.3 ng/l level. In STP effluent, 5 OPFRs (TnBP, TPP, DnBP, DPhP and DEHP) and one UVA (UV-P) were detected with concentrations up to 135 ng/l.