Current sample preparation methodologies for analysis of emerging pollutants in different environmental matrices

Abstract

Emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and endocrine disrupting compounds are ever-present in environmental matrices and they are known to pose negative effects on living organisms. The determination of these pollutants in different environmental matrices (such as water, soil, and sediments, among others) frequently requires separation techniques that are capable of high efficiency, unique selectivity and high sensitivity. However, direct analysis of these pollutants in complex matrices is difficult. For this reason, rapid, inexpensive, efficient and environmentally friendly sample preparation techniques have been developed prior to chromatographic quantification. Therefore, the aim of this article is to review recent publications (2010–2016) on modern sample preparation techniques combined with chromatographic techniques for identification and quantification of emerging pollutants in environmental matrices. These sample preparation techniques include solid phase extraction, solid phase microextraction, liquid-liquid extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, liquid-phase microextraction techniques, stir bar sorptive extraction, and pressurized liquid extraction, among others.