Development and validation of a method for the determination of trace alkylphenols and phthalates in the atmosphere

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Authors

An analytical method has been developed for the simultaneous extraction and determination of trace tertiary octylphenol (t-OP), technical nonylphenol isomers (NP), nonylphenol monoethoxylate isomers (NP1EO) and seven phthalates in the atmosphere using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). High volume samples were collected using a high-volume pump equipped with a PUF/XAD-2 column for air and glass fiber filter for particles. The detection limits of the method for alkylphenols (APs) and the phthalates ranged from 0.0006 to 0.034 ng m -3 in air. The recoveries of t-OP, NP, NP1EO and the phthalates for the entire procedure were satisfactory (>69%). The method was successfully applied to the determination of the analytes in the atmosphere samples collected over land and the ocean. The concentrations of t-OP, NP, NP1EO showed decline trends from land to the open sea, and the phthalates present over land and the North Sea were comparable. It is suggested that the atmosphere is a significant pathway for the transport of alkylphenols and the phthalates in the environment.

Original languageEnglish
JournalAnalytica Chimica Acta
Volume565
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)198-207
Number of pages10
ISSN0003-2670
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21.04.2006

    Research areas

  • Chemistry - GC-MS, Nonyphenol, Tertiary octylphenol, Nonylphenol monoethoxylate, Phthalate, Atmosphere