Matrix Effect-Free Analytical Methods for Determination of Perfluorinated Carboxylic Acids in Environmental Matrixes

Powley, Charles R.; George, Stephen W.; Ryan, Timothy W.; Buck, Robert C.

doi:10.1021/ac0508090

Cited by 396Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances researchAnalytical chemistry methods developmentEnvironmental and Analytical Chemistry Studies

Matrix Effect-Free Analytical Methods for Determination of Perfluorinated Carboxylic Acids in Environmental Matrixes

Powley, Charles R., George, Stephen W., Ryan, Timothy W., Buck, Robert C.·2005·Analytical Chemistry

DOI 10.1021/ac0508090

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Abstract

Perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) are persistent chemicals that have been found widely in the environment. Their accurate determination in environmental matrixes, particularly soil, sediment, and sludge, at low levels presents significant analytical challenges. The commercialization of electrospray interfaces for liquid chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis facilitated analysis of PFCAs at low levels, but issues with quantitative analysis due to matrix suppression or enhancement still persist. The methods described in this study utilize simple and rapid sample purification procedures to remove matrix components sufficiently so that errors due to coeluting matrix peaks are negligible and recoveries of PFCAs are consistently and reproducibly quantitative. Extracts from solid samples (soil and sediment) and liquid bacterial sludge are purified using dispersive solid-phase extraction. Recovery values generally are in the 70-120% range, with limits of quantitation of 1 ppb. The method utilizes an extraction solvent previously shown to release and recover aged residues of PFCAs. A confirmatory method using two precursor to product ions is also provided and demonstrated.

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There are limitations to efficiently extracting PFAS from sediments.
“Although we observed positive correlations (rho = 0.24, p < 0.005, n = 330) between PFAS concentrations in sediment and molecular weight (which corresponds to perfluoroalkyl chain length), there are clearly some limitations to efficiently extracting PFAS from sediments (Powley et al., 2005; Giesy et al., 2010).”
From Perfluoroalkyl acids in sediment and water surrounding historical fire training areas at Barksdale Air Force Base (2022) · cites this paper as Powley et al., 2005
The homologue pattern of PFASs in cosmetics appears to follow the same trend as treated textiles and papers, where recent studies typically report the highest concentrations and detection frequency for C6 compounds.
“Thus, the homologue pattern of PFASs in cosmetics appear to follow the same trend as treated textiles and papers where recent studies typically report the highest concentrations and detection frequency for C6 compounds.”
From Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and fluorine mass balance in cosmetic products from the Swedish market: implications for environmental emissions and human exposure (2018) · cites this paper as [38]

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Authors: Powley, C. R., George, S. W., Ryan, T. W., & Buck, R. C.
Affiliations: DuPont (United States) (US)
ORCID: Buck, Robert C.
Venue: Analytical Chemistry
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Published: 2005-09-03
Volume: 77
Issue: 19
Pages: 6353-6358
ISSN: 0003-2700 (ISSN-L)
1520-6882
DOI: 10.1021/ac0508090
OpenAlex: W2041756256
Cited by: 396
References: 0
Citations by year: 2026: 16 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 16 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 22 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 29
FWCI: 10.16
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Analytical Chemistry (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Analytical Chemistry › Analytical chemistry methods development
Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Environmental and Analytical Chemistry Studies
Keywords: perfluorocarboxylic acids, matrix effects, dispersive solid-phase extraction, sample cleanup, soil, sediment, electrospray ionization, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, persistent organic pollutants
MeSH terms: Calibration, Carboxylic Acids, Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid, Environment, Fluorine, Tandem Mass Spectrometry

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Matrix Effect-Free Analytical Methods for Determination of Perfluorinated Carboxylic Acids in Environmental Matrixes

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