Demeestere, Kristof

Huysman, Steve

Van Langenhove, Herman

Vanhaecke, Lynn

Vanryckeghem, Francis

English

Huysman, S.

Vanryckeghem, F.

Van Langenhove, H.

Demeestere, K.

Vanhaecke, L.

Open Marine Archive

How far have plasticizers and additives penetrated our aquatic 
environment? 
Huysman Steve1, Vanryckeghem Francis2, Van Langenhove Herman2, Demeestere Kristof2 ,and 
Vanhaecke Lynn1 
1Ghent University, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Laboratory of 
Chemical Analysis (LCA), Merelbeke, Belgium 
2Ghent University, Department of Sustainable Organic Chemistry and Technology, Research Group 
Environmental Organic Chemistry and Technology (EnVOC), Ghent, Belgium 
E-mail contact: Steve.Huysman@Ugent.be and Lynn.Vanhaecke@Ugent.be  
 
Abstract 
 
Phthalates and phenols are a large group of ubiquitous, high-volume industrial chemicals that are 
added to plastics and many other daily products, such as building materials, toys, paints, adhesives 
and medical equipment. Due to the weak physical bonds between a polymer and the plasticizers or 
additives, they can easily be released directly or indirectly (i.e. through metabolisation, 
manifacturing processes) in the aquatic environment. Continuous exposure to these substances can 
exert to toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogic effects on organisms by interfering with their endocrine 
system. Therefore, monitoring phthalate esters and phenolic compounds in the marine environment, 
whether or not in the metabolised form, will provide insight into the degree of occurence that these 
compounds have already reached in our aquatic system. 
 
The aim of this study was to develop a multi-residue method for the simultaneous determination of 
20 phthalate esters and 10 phenolic compounds in the marine environment. The analytes were 
separated with an ultra high performance liquid chromatograph (UHPLC) using a 1.9 µm Hypersil 
Gold column (100 mm x 2.1 mm), and quantified in full-scan by a Q-Exactive Benchtop™ high 
resolution mass spectrometer (HRMS). Chromatographic variables, such as mobile phase, mobile 
phase modifier, flow and column oven temperature, were optimised to enhance phenol sensitivity. 
Additionally, a trap column (1.9 µm, 50 mm x 2.1 mm) was used for eliminating phthalate 
contamination originating from the analytical instrument. Furthermore, the mass spectrometric 
variables (such as position source, sheath gas, auxillary gas, sweep gas, discharge current, capillary 
temperature, S-lens RF, and vaporizer temperature) were optimised. Next, a suitable extraction was 
designed for capturing a broad polarity range (Log Kow ranging between 1 and 12), including the 
diphthalates, monophthalates and phenols. 
 
Future perspectives comprise the validation of the developed UHPLC-HRMS method according to 
CD 2002/567/EC and the analysis of phthalates and phenols in the Belgian Part of the North Sea. A 
major advantage of our newly developed method lies in its ability to identify suspected and 
unknown compounds, besides the list of aformentioned target compounds. Finally, this work will be 
an important step towards environmental forensic profiling, future European legislation and a 
contribution to the Marine Water Framework Directive. 
 
Acknowledgments 
The authors like to acknowledge the Belgian Science Policy (BELSPO) for funding the 
NewSTHEPS project (BR/143/A2/NEWSTHEPS; www.newstheps.be) in which this work fits.  


How far have plasticizers and additives penetrated our aquatic environment?

Ghent University Academic Bibliography

How far have plasticizers and additives penetrated our aquatic environment? Huysman Steve1, Vanryckeghem Francis2, Van Langenhove Herman2, Demeestere Kristof2 ,and Vanhaecke Lynn1 1Ghent University, Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Laboratory of Chemical Analysis (LCA), Merelbeke, Belgium 2Ghent University, Department of Sustainable Organic Chemistry and Technology, Research Group Environmental Organic Chemistry and Technology (EnVOC), Ghent, Belgium E-mail contact: Steve.Huysman@Ugent.be and Lynn.Vanhaecke@Ugent.be   Abstract  Phthalates and phenols are a large group of ubiquitous, high-volume industrial chemicals that are added to plastics and many other daily products, such as building materials, toys, paints, adhesives and medical equipment. Due to the weak physical bonds between a polymer and the plasticizers or additives, they can easily be released directly or indirectly (i.e. through metabolisation, manifacturing processes) in the aquatic environment. Continuous exposure to these substances can exert to toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogic effects on organisms by interfering with their endocrine system. Therefore, monitoring phthalate esters and phenolic compounds in the marine environment, whether or not in the metabolised form, will provide insight into the degree of occurence that these compounds have already reached in our aquatic system.  The aim of this study was to develop a multi-residue method for the simultaneous determination of 20 phthalate esters and 10 phenolic compounds in the marine environment. The analytes were separated with an ultra high performance liquid chromatograph (UHPLC) using a 1.9 µm Hypersil Gold column (100 mm x 2.1 mm), and quantified in full-scan by a Q-Exactive Benchtop™ high resolution mass spectrometer (HRMS). Chromatographic variables, such as mobile phase, mobile phase modifier, flow and column oven temperature, were optimised to enhance phenol sensitivity. Additionally, a trap column (1.9 µm, 50 mm x 2.1 mm) was used for eliminating phthalate contamination originating from the analytical instrument. Furthermore, the mass spectrometric variables (such as position source, sheath gas, auxillary gas, sweep gas, discharge current, capillary temperature, S-lens RF, and vaporizer temperature) were optimised. Next, a suitable extraction was designed for capturing a broad polarity range (Log Kow ranging between 1 and 12), including the diphthalates, monophthalates and phenols.  Future perspectives comprise the validation of the developed UHPLC-HRMS method according to CD 2002/567/EC and the analysis of phthalates and phenols in the Belgian Part of the North Sea. A major advantage of our newly developed method lies in its ability to identify suspected and unknown compounds, besides the list of aformentioned target compounds. Finally, this work will be an important step towards environmental forensic profiling, future European legislation and a contribution to the Marine Water Framework Directive.  Acknowledgments The authors like to acknowledge the Belgian Science Policy (BELSPO) for funding the NewSTHEPS project (BR/143/A2/NEWSTHEPS; www.newstheps.be) in which this work fits.  

https://biblio.ugent.be/publication/8520172/file/8520173.pdf

How far have plasticizers and additives penetrated our aquatic environment?

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Open Marine Archive

Ghent University Academic Bibliography