Comprehensive two dimensional gas chromatography (2DGC) coupled to mass spectrometry is a powerful technique designed to give high sensitivity and selectivity, enhanced resolution and increased response. Because of these reasons, this technique can be used to develop methods for the determination of trace level analytes with high concentration factors and reduced sample cleanup requirements. Here we present a method to quantify five estrogens commonly found in municipal wastewaters using 2DGC. Samples were extracted with HLB cartridges and derivatized with BSTFA prior to the GC/MS analysis. The method has a concentration factor of 2500 and no additional cleanup steps were used after the solid phase extraction. Two orthogonal columns and thermal modulation result in enhanced separation, while the rapid scanning quadrupole mass spectrometer gives high resolution peaks. Furthermore, the method is much less expensive when compared to existing methods involving chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.

Determination of five estrogens in wastewater using a comprehensive 2D gas chromatograph

247th National Meeting (2014)

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