Pharmaceuticals, Pesticides, and PFAS: Quantifying Endocrine Disrupting Compounds in Plastics and Fish Tissues Using Solvent Extraction and LC-MS/MS

Abstract

The rise of plastic pollution in marine environments has been heavily documented, with particular focus on the physical impacts the plastics can have on biota. But, plastics also sorb a range of hydrophobic chemical pollutants, acting as vectors for the transportation of these compounds throughout marine environments. Therefore, an analytical method that can target both marine biota and plastic matrices will be key to advance our understanding of the link between chemicals in the environment, plastic pollution, and effects on biota. Here, an efficient method for the detection and quantification of a broad suite of compounds in marine samples was developed. Five extraction methods were trialed for the analysis of 21 pesticides, PFAS, and pharmaceuticals in biota and plastics. This included three ultrasonic extraction methods and two QuEChERS methods. Ultrasonic extraction in acetonitrile with a microcentrifuge step then concentration by Bond Elut Carbon SPE resulted in best recovery across most compounds. Of the 21 compounds trialed, 16 were efficiently quantified. Method limits of quantification and detection were between 0.02 and 4.81 ppb (mLODs) and between 0.06 and 14.60 ppb (mLOQs). This method is widely applicable to a range of marine environments and supports routine evaluations of environmental safety and monitoring protocols.