As part of the EPA-sponsored Great Lakes Fish Monitoring and Surveillance Program (GLFMSP), we have been using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GCxGC-TOF) to identify emerging contaminants of concern accumulating in Great Lakes fish.  Composites of Lake Trout whole fish tissue and fish eggs from each of the Great Lakes were extracted and analyzed using GCxGC-TOF mass spectrometry.  Non-targeted emerging contaminant candidates were identified by comparing experimental mass spectra with NIST and Wiley mass spectral databases on a peak-by-peak basis.  Many chlorinated, brominated, and fluorinated compounds have been tentatively identified using this approach, some of which may be current in-use chemicals, and others possible physical-chemical or biochemical degradation products derived from legacy contaminants such as PCBs, PBDEs, and organochlorine pesticides.  Additionally, we have also identified several organometallic and organo-phosphorous based compounds, perhaps used as industrial catalysts or replacement flame retardants.  We have also performed targeted searches specifically for the Howard-Muir list of 610 potential persistent and bioaccumulative in-use chemicals, and have tentatively identified several of these currently used commercial chemicals in Great Lakes fish and eggs.

Proactive environmental monitoring 1: The discovery of emerging contaminants as part of the Great Lakes Fish Monitoring and Surveillance Program

248th National Meeting (2014)

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