Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) are notorious persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which may bioaccumulate through food chain and play detrimental effects to organisms even at trace levels. Quantification of PCBs and PCDD/Fs in biotic samples is a great challenge. In the present study, gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source (GC-(APCI)MS/MS) was studied for the isotope-dilution analysis of PCBs (mono-to deca-) and PCDD/Fs in Chinese mitten crab food webs. High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) was applied for comparison. Light PCBs are compared between the two instruments for the first time. After optimization of instrument parameters, the RSDs of relative response factors of calibration curves were between 3.4% and 15.5% for PCBs and 1.7%–7.9% for PCDD/Fs. The limits of detection were between 0.021 and 0.150 pg/mL for PCBs and 0.051–0.237 pg/mL for PCDD/Fs. PCB concentrations in crab food web samples detected by GC-(APCI)MS/MS were well correlated with those detected by HRGC/HRMS. A DiCB, 3,3′-dichlorobiphenyl (PCB11), was the dominant PCB congener in aquatic food webs. Other MoCB and DiCB congeners were also widely identified; hence, low-weight PCB congeners should arouse more concern in the future. GC-(APCI)MS/MS may become an alternative instrument satisfying the PCB and PCDD/F detection.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.