Simultaneous and Rapid Analysis of Multiclass Emerging\nContaminants Using a Column-Switching LC-MS Method

Contaminants\nof emerging concern (CECs) in aquatic environments\nhave attracted a considerable amount of attention from the public\nand regulatory groups. Due to their wide variety of chemical properties,\nsimultaneous analysis of multiclass CECs presents a great challenge.\nThis study develops an innovative liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry\n(LC-MS) method that integrates both large volume injection (LVI) and\nonline solid phase extraction to quantify 102 CECs. The method utilizes\nthree columns: a reversed phase (RP) column, a custom-built mixed\nweak cation/anion exchange trap column, and a mixed-mode ion exchange\n(MMIE) column. With valve switching, highly polar/ionic CECs that\nare not retained by the RP column are captured by the trap column\nwhile other CECs are separated by the RP column. Subsequently, the\ntrapped highly polar/ionic CECs are transferred to the MMIE column\nfor further separation. Matrix effects from sewage effluent and urine\nsamples were assessed, and the method accuracy and precision were\nalso determined using spike recovery. LVI notably enhanced the method\nsensitivity, with the method quantification limits for 93 of the 102\nCECs in various water matrices being <10 ng L<sup>–1</sup>. Overall, this novel column-switching LC-MS method enables the rapid\nand simultaneous determination of multiclass CECs in diverse aqueous\nsamples.