| Title |
Determination of multi-class emerging contaminants in sludge and recovery materials from waste water treatment plants: Development of a modified QuEChERS method coupled to LC-MS/MS |
| ID_Doc |
12499 |
| Authors |
Benedetti, B; Majone, M; Cavaliere, C; Montone, CM; Fatone, F; Frison, N; Laganà, A; Capriotti, AL |
| Title |
Determination of multi-class emerging contaminants in sludge and recovery materials from waste water treatment plants: Development of a modified QuEChERS method coupled to LC-MS/MS |
| Year |
2020 |
| Published |
|
| DOI |
10.1016/j.microc.2020.104732 |
| Abstract |
Recycling and recovering valuable resources from wastewater treatment plants is an important aspect in circular economy. The safe use of sludge and sludge-related products deriving from wastewater treatment strictly depends on their chemical contamination, especially by emerging pollutants. In this work, an analytical method was developed for the determination of a range of selected compounds, included in a recent European watch-list (macrolides, fluoroquinolones, neonicotinoids, carbamates and estrogens), in recovery materials from innovative pilot systems. Both the instrumental analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and the pre-treatment strategy (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe technique) were optimized for the purpose. The final method performance were evaluated, revealing determination coefficients (R2) of 0.993-0.9999 for the matrix-matched calibration curves, good accuracy (recovery 68-104% and matrix effect 70-123%), satisfactory precision (relative standard deviation <20%) and limits of detection and quantitation in the low ng g(-1) levels. Ten different recovery material samples were analyzed, showing contamination by few analytes, mainly antibiotics and estrone; ciprofloxacin and azithromycin were the most abundant compounds (up to 500-600 ng g(-1)). On the contrary, neonicotinoid pesticides were not detected, except for one sample (sample 10, the only compost material). The application of the described method is an essential part of a broader investigation on the suitability and safety of innovative materials coming from waste water treatment plants, in the view of a risk assessment related to their usage. |
| Author Keywords |
Sewage sludge; Emerging contaminants; Wastewater treatment plant; Analytical method optimization |
| Index Keywords |
Index Keywords |
| Document Type |
Other |
| Open Access |
Open Access |
| Source |
Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED) |
| EID |
WOS:000527371500075 |
| WoS Category |
Chemistry, Analytical |
| Research Area |
Chemistry |
| PDF |
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