Natural presence of aldehydes in the environment is related to the phenomena of photochemical transformations, with biological processes of plant and animal organisms, and organic matter destruction. A significant part of the aldehydes is formed in troposphere, from where through wet deposition associated with precipitation they can be delivered into surface waters. The increase in UV radiation and temperature influences the concentration of aldehydes, which may change water parameters and promote the development of bacterial microflora. Many phytoplankton species have been shown to be capable of producing and releasing secondary metabolites. Aldehydes among others are considered also allelochemicals. Fossil fuel combustion and plastic degradation processes are important anthropogenic sources of aldehydes in the environment. From PET bottles made of commonly used polyethylene terephthalate, many aldehydes migrate to water. The presence of aldehydes may raise concerns about their negative impact on human health and environmental balance.<br/>The identification of these volatile, water-soluble polar compounds present at low concentration levels often requires a special sophisticated analytical method. We proposed a method related to the initial derivatization with the PFBOA reagent (O- (2,3,4,5, -pentafluorobenzyl) hydroxylamine), and then the use of dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME). We have modified this method using the cooling process of a solvent appropriately selected in terms of polarity and melting point. We achieved the best results for cyclohexane. It was easily frozen after centrifugation and removed as a frozen drop for further analysis. Various volumes of the extractant were tested. The most favorable recovery was achieved with a volume of 200 µl. The methanol-dispersing solvent was also selected qualitatively and quantitatively. The analysis of aldehydes with the use of the DLLME-SFO extraction has been successfully used in the research of the environmental and treated waters. The tested compounds were separated and identified in the gas chromatography − electron capture detector (GC/ECD) and gas chromatography − mass spectrometer (GC/MS) systems. The method allows to achieve high sensitivity when taking a small amount of sample (a few milliliters) and reduce the consumption of solvents and derivatization reagent to the level of microliters. The detection limit ranged from a few to several dozen ng/l.

Sophisticated analytical method for analysis of aldehydes in environmental waters

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.