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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used for durable water-repellent finishing of different fabrics and textiles like outdoor clothing, carpets, medical textiles and more. Existing PFAS extraction techniques followed by target analysis are often insufficient in detecting widely used side-chain fluorinated polymers (SFPs) that are barely or non-extractable. SFPs are typically copolymers consisting of a non-fluorinated backbone with perfluoroalkyl side-chains to obtain desired properties. We compared the accessible analytical information and performance of complementary techniques based on oxidation (dTOP assay, PhotoTOP), hydrolysis (THP assay), standard extraction, extractable organic fluorine (EOF), and total fluorine (TF) with five functional textiles and characterized 7 further textiles only by PhotoTOP oxidation. The results show that when applied directly to textile samples, oxidation by dTOP and PhotoTOP and also hydrolysis by the THP are able to capture large fractions of the TF in form of perfluoroalkyl side-chains present in the textiles while methods relying on extracts (EOF, target and non-target analysis) were much lower (e.g., factor ~25-50 lower). The conversion of large fractions of the measured TF into PFCAs or FTOHs from fluorinated side chains is in contrast to previous studies. Concentrations ranged from <LOQ to over ~1000 mg F/kg after oxidation/hydrolysis and <LOQ to over 2000 mg F/kg for TF, while EOF and target PFAS in extracts were detected at much lower concentrations (up to ~ 60 mg F/kg) (amount of fluorine in the order: extraction << EOF << oxidation/hydrolysis ≤ TF). Perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) from THP and PhotoTOP both represented the chain-length distribution in the textiles showing that long-chain SFPs are still used in current textiles. Further advantages and disadvantages of the applied methods are discussed.
Determination of elemental mass fractions in sediments plays a major role in evaluating the environmental status of aquatic ecosystems. Herewith, the optimization of a new total digestion protocol and the subsequent analysis of 48 elements in different sediment reference materials (NIST SRM 2702, GBW 07313, GBW 07311 and JMC-2) based on ICP-MS/MS detection is presented. The developed method applies microwave acid digestion and utilizes HBF4 as fluoride source for silicate decomposition. Similar to established protocols based on HF, HBF4 ensures the dissolution of the silicate matrix, as well as other refractory oxides. As HBF4 is not acutely toxic; no special precautions have to be made and digests can be directly measured via ICP-MS without specific sample inlet systems, evaporation steps or the addition of e.g. H3BO3, in order to mask excess HF. Different acid mixtures with and without HBF4 were evaluated in terms of digestion efficiency based on the trace metal recovery. The optimized protocol (5 mL HNO3, 2 mL HCL, 1 mL HBF4) allows a complete dissolution of the analyzed reference materials, as well as quantitative recoveries for a wide variety of certified analytes. Low recoveries for e.g. Sr, Ba and rare earth elements due to fluoride precipitation of HF-based digestions protocols, can be avoided by the usage of HBF4 instead. Based on the usage of high purity HBF4 all relevant trace, as well as matrix elements can be analyzed with sufficiently low LOQs (0.002 μg L−1 for U up to 6.7 μg L−1 for Al). In total, 34 elements were within a recovery range of 80%–120% for all three analyzed reference materials GBW 07313, GBW 07311 and JMC-2. 14 elements were outside a recovery range of 80%–120% for at least one of the analyzed reference materials.
Bacterial adhesion on surfaces of medical, water and food applications may lead to infections, water or food spoilage and human illness. In comparison to traditional static and macro flow chamber assays for biofilm formation studies, microfluidic chips allow in situ monitoring of biofilm formation under various flow regimes, have better environment control and smaller sample requirements.
In this work, a novel microfluidic platform is developed to investigate biofilm adhesion under precisely controlled bacteria concentration, temperature, and flow conditions. This platform central unit is a single-inlet microfluidic flow cell with a 5 mm wide chamber designed and tested to achieve ultra-homogenous flow in the central area of chamber. Within this area, defined microstructures are integrated that will disturb the homogeneity of the flow, thus changing bacterial adhesion pattern.
Here we present the monitoring of bacterial biofilm formation in a microfluidic chip equipped with a microstructure known as micro-trap. This feature is based on a 3D bacteria trap designed by Di Giacomo et al. and successfully used to sequester motile bacteria.
At first, fluorescent particles similar in size to Escherichia coli (E. coli) are used to simulate bacteria flow inside the flow cell and at the micro-trap. The turbulences induced by the trap are analyzed by imaging and particle tracking velocimetry (PTV). Secondly, the model strain E. coli TG1, ideal and well described for biofilm studies, is used to analyze biofilm formation in the micro-trap. Therefore, a stable fluorescent strain E. coli TG1-MRE-Tn7-141 is constructed by using Tn7 transposon mutagenesis according to the method described by Schlechter et al. Sequestering of E. coli cells within the micro-trap was followed using epifluorescence microscopy.
The novel microfluidic platform shows great potential for assessment of bacterial adhesion under various flow regimes. The performance of structural feature with respect to the generation of turbulences that promote or reduce bacterial adhesion can be systematically examined.
The combination of flow analysis and fluorescent strain injection into the microfluidic chip shows that the micro-trap is useful for capturing bacteria at defined positions and to study how flow conditions, especially micro-turbulences, can affect biofilm formation. It represents a powerful and versatile tool for studying the relation between topography and bacteria adhesion.
Homochirality is an obvious feature of life on Earth. On the other hand, extraterrestrial samples contain largely racemic compounds. The same is true for any common organic synthesis. Therefore, it has been a perplexing puzzle for decades how these racemates could have formed enantiomerically enriched fractions as a basis for the origin of homochiral life forms. Numerous hypotheses have been put forward as to how preferentially homochiral molecules could have formed and accumulated on Earth. In this article, it is shown that homochirality of the abiotic organic pool at the time of formation of the first self-replicating molecules is not necessary and not even probable. It is proposed to abandon the notion of a molecular ensemble and to focus on the level of individual molecules. Although the formation of the first self-replicating, most likely homochiral molecule, is a seemingly improbable event, on a closer look, it is almost inevitable that some homochiral molecules have formed simply on a statistical basis. In this case, the non-selective leap to homochirality would be one of the first steps in chemical evolution directly out of a racemic “ocean”. Moreover, most studies focus on the chirality of the primordial monomers with respect to an asymmetric carbon atom. However, any polymer with a minimal size that allows folding to a secondary structure would spontaneously lead to asymmetric higher structures (conformations). Most of the functions of these polymers would be influenced by this inherently asymmetric folding. Furthermore, a concept of physical compartmentalization based on rock nanopores in analogy to nanocavities of digital immunoassays is introduced to suggest that complex cell walls or membranes were also not required for the first steps of chemical evolution. To summarize, simple and universal mechanisms may have led to homochiral self-replicating systems in the context of chemical evolution. A homochiral monomer pool is deemed unnecessary and probably never existed on primordial Earth.
Homochirality is an obvious feature of life on Earth. On the other hand, extraterrestrial samples contain largely racemic compounds. The same is true for any common organic synthesis. Therefore, it has been a perplexing puzzle for decades how these racemates could have formed enantiomerically enriched fractions as a basis for the origin of homochiral life forms. Numerous hypotheses have been put forward as to how preferentially homochiral molecules could have formed and accumulated on Earth. In this article, it is shown that homochirality of the abiotic organic pool at the time of formation of the first self-replicating molecules is not necessary and not even probable. It is proposed to abandon the notion of a molecular ensemble and to focus on the level of individual molecules. Although the formation of the first self-replicating, most likely homochiral molecule is a seemingly improbable event, on a closer look, it is almost inevitable that homochiral molecules have formed simply on a statistical basis. In this case, the non-selective leap to homochirality would be one of the first steps in chemical evolution directly out of a racemic “ocean”. Moreover, most studies focus on the chirality of the primordial monomers with respect to an asymmetric carbon atom. However, any polymer with a minimal size that allows folding to a secondary structure, would spontaneously lead to asymmetric higher structures (conformations). Most of the functions of these polymers would be influenced by this inherently asymmetric folding. To summarize, simple and universal mechanisms may have led to homochiral self-replicating systems in the context of chemical evolution. A homochiral monomer pool is deemed unnecessary and probably never existed on primordial Earth.
The 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Aleksey I. Ekimov (prize share 1/3), Louis E. Brus (prize share 1/3), and Moungi G. Bawendi (prize share 1/3) for groundbreaking inventions in the field of nanotechnology, i.e., for the discovery and synthesis of semiconductor nanocrystals, also termed quantum dots, that exhibit size-dependent physicochemical properties enabled by quantum size effects. This feature article summarizes the main milestones of the discoveries and developments of quantum dots that paved the road to their versatile applications in solid-state lighting, display technology, energy conversion, medical diagnostics, bioimaging, and image-guided surgery.
Gallium – a versatile element for tuning the photoluminescence properties of InP quantum dots
(2019)
With the goal to tune the emission properties of colloidal InP quantum dots, the incorporation of Ga was explored. Unexpectedly, depending on the nature of the gallium precursor, the photoluminescence shifted either to the red (gallium oleate) or to the blue (gallium acetylacetonate). In the first case, larger-sized InP/GaP core/shell nanocrystals were formed, while in the second case the formation of an InGaP alloy structure enabled the blue range of emission (475 nm) to be accessed.
Fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals, also known as quantum dots (QDs), enabled many advancements in biotechnology, photovoltaics, photocatalysis, quantum computing and display devices. The high versatility of this nanomaterial is based on their unique size-tunable photoluminescence properties, which can be adjusted from the visible to the near-infrared range. In contrast to other nanomaterials, QDs made the transition from a laboratory curiosity to the utilization in commercial products, like the QLED television screen or in smartphone displays. The best investigated QDs are composed of heavy metals like cadmium or lead, which is not the best choice in terms of toxicity and environmental pollution. A more promising material is Indium Phosphide (InP), which is also currently used by Samsung, Sony and co. in the QLED displays.
In this contribution, I would like to give you a sneak peek behind the curtains of nanomaterial synthesis and show how this material is produced, how to stabilize their structural properties, and assess their toxicity in environmentally relevant conditions. Furthermore, I would like to present a synthesis method to accomplish the last open challenge in display technology of a blue luminescent LED based on QDs by introducing a new element to the InP QDs.
The interaction of microplastics with freshwater biota and their interaction with other stressors is still not very well understood. Therefore, we investigated the ingestion, excretion and toxicity of microplastics in the freshwater gastropod Lymnaea stagnalis.
MP ingestion was analyzed as tissues levels in L. stagnalis after 6–96 h of exposure to 5–90 μm spherical polystyrene (PS) microplastics. To understand the excretion, tissue levels were determined after 24 h of exposure followed by a 12 h–7 d depuration period. To assess the toxicity, snails were exposed for 28 d to irregular PS microplastics (<63 μm, 6.4–100,000 particles mL−1), both alone and in combination with copper as additional stressor. To compare the toxicity of natural and synthetic particles, we also included diatomite particles. Microplastics ingestion and excretion significantly depended on the particle size and the exposure/depuration duration. An exposure to irregular PS had no effect on survival, reproduction, energy reserves and oxidative stress. However, we observed slight effects on immune cell phagocytosis. Exposure to microplastics did not exacerbate the reproductive toxicity of copper. In addition, there was no pronounced difference between the effects of microplastics and diatomite. The tolerance towards microplastics may originate from an adaptation of L. stagnalis to particle-rich environments or a general stress resilience. In conclusion, despite high uptake rates, PS fragments do not appear to be a relevant stressor for stress tolerant freshwater gastropods considering current environmental levels of microplastics.
Two nanosensors for simultaneous optical measurements of temperature (“T”), oxygen (“O”), and pH (“P”) have been designed. These “TOP” nanosensors are based on 100 nm-sized silica-coated polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) doped with the near infrared emissive oxygen- and temperature-sensitive chromium(III) complex ([Cr(ddpd)2][BPh4]3 CrBPh4)[1][2] and an inert reference fluorescence dye (Nile Red NR or 5,10,15,20tetrakis-(pentafluorophenyl) porphyrin TFPP) and are covalently labeled with the pHsensitive fluorophore fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). These emitters can be excited at the same wavelength and reveal distinguishable emission spectra suitable for ratiometric intensity-based and time-resolved studies in the visible and near infrared spectral region. The core-shell nanostructure of these sensors reveals high colloidal stability in various aqueous media. Studies in PBS buffer solutions and in a model body liquid demonstrate the applicability of the TOP nanosensors for optically detecting the three bioanalytically and biologically relevant analytes temperature, oxygen and pH simultaneously at the same position.
Two nanosensors for simultaneous optical measurements of the bioanalytically and biologically relevant analytes temperature (“T”), oxygen (“O”), and pH (“P”) have been designed. These “TOP” nanosensors are based on 100 nmsized silica-coated polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) doped with a near-infrared emissive oxygen- and temperature-sensitive chromium(III) complex ([Cr(ddpd)2][BPh4]3, CrBPh4) and an inert reference dye (Nile Red, NR or 5,10,15,20tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl) porphyrin, TFPP) and are covalently labeled with pHsensitive fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). These emitters can be excited at the same wavelength and reveal spectrally distinguishable emission bands, allowing for ratiometric intensity-based and time-resolved studies in the visible and near-infrared wavelength region. Studies in PBS buffer solutions and in a model body liquid demonstrate the applicability of these nanosensors for the sensitive luminescence readout of TOP simultaneously at the same spatialposition.
Two nanosensors for simultaneous optical measurements of temperature (“T”), oxygen (“O”), and pH (“P”) have been designed. These “TOP” nanosensors are based on 100 nm-sized silica-coated polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) doped with the near infrared emissive oxygen- and temperature-sensitive chromium(III) complex ([Cr(ddpd)2][BPh4]3 CrBPh4)[1][2] and an inert reference fluorescence dye (Nile Red NR or 5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(pentafluorophenyl) porphyrin TFPP) and are covalently labeled with the pH-sensitive fluorophore fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC). These emitters can be excited at the same wavelength and reveal distinguishable emission spectra suitable for ratiometric intensity-based and time-resolved studies in the visible and near infrared spectral region. The core-shell nanostructure of these sensors reveals high colloidal stability in various aqueous media. Studies in PBS buffer solutions and in a model body liquid demonstrate the applicability of the TOP nanosensors for optically detecting the three bioanalytically and biologically relevant analytes temperature, oxygen and pH simultaneously at the same position.
Exploratory analysis of hyperspectral FTIR data obtained from environmental microplastics samples
(2020)
Hyperspectral imaging of environmental samples with infrared microscopes is one of the preferred methods to find and characterize microplastics. Particles can be quantified in terms of number, size and size distribution. Their shape can be studied and the substances can be identified. Interpretation of the collected spectra is a typical problem encountered during the analysis. The image datasets are large and contain spectra of countless particles of natural and synthetic origin. To supplement existing Analysis pipelines, exploratory multivariate data analysis was tested on two independent datasets. Dimensionality reduction with principal component analysis (PCA) and uniform manifold approximation and projection (UMAP) was used as a core concept. It allowed for improved visual accessibility of the data and created a chemical two-dimensional image of the sample. Spectra belonging to particles could be separated from blank spectra, reducing the amount of data significantly. Selected spectra were further studied, also applying PCA and UMAP. Groups of similar spectra were identified by cluster analysis using k-means, density based, and interactive manual clustering. Most clusters could be assigned to chemical species based on reference spectra. While the results support findings obtained with a ‘targeted analysis’ based on automated library search, exploratory analysis points the attention towards the group of unidientified spectra that remained and are otherwise easily overlooked.
Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a promising candidate for low-cost, nondestructive, and high-throughput mass quantification of micro¬plastics in environmental samples. Widespread application of the technique is currently hampered mainly by the low sensitivity of NIR spectroscopy compared to thermo-analytical approaches commonly used for this type of analysis. This study shows how the application of NIR spectroscopy for mass quantification of microplastics can be extended to smaller analyte levels by combining it with a simple and rapid microplastic enrichment protocol. For this purpose, the widely used flotation of microplastics in a NaCl solution, accelerated by centrifugation, was chosen which allowed to remove up to 99 % of the matrix at recovery rates of 83–104 %. The spectroscopic measurements took place directly on the stainless-steel filters used to collect the extracted particles to reduce sample handling to a minimum. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were used to identify and quantify the extracted microplastics in the mass range of 1–10 mg. The simple and fast extraction procedure was systematically optimized to meet the requirements for the quantification of microplastics from common PE-, PP-, and PS-based packaging materials with a particle size < 1 mm found in compost or soils with high natural organic matter content (> 10 % determined by loss on ignition). Microplastics could be detected in model samples at a mass fraction of 1 mg g-1. The detectable microplastic mass fraction is about an order of magnitude lower compared to previous studies using NIR spectroscopy without additional enrichment. To emphasize the cost-effectiveness of the method, it was implemented using some of the cheapest and most compact NIR spectrometers available.
Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a promising candidate for low-cost, nondestructive, and highthroughput mass quantification of microplastics in environmental samples. Widespread application of the technique is currently hampered mainly by the low sensitivity of NIR spectroscopy compared to thermoanalytical approaches commonly used for this type of analysis. This study shows how the application of NIR spectroscopy for mass quantification of microplastics can be extended to smaller analyte levels by combining it with a simple and rapid microplastic enrichment protocol. For this purpose, the widely used flotation of microplastics in a NaCl solution, accelerated by centrifugation, was chosen which allowed to remove up to 99 % of the matrix at recovery rates of 83–104 %. The spectroscopic measurements took place directly on the stainless-steel filters used to collect the extracted particles to reduce sample handling to a minimum. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were used to identify and quantify the extracted microplastics in the mass range of 1–10 mg.
The simple and fast extraction procedure was systematically optimized to meet the requirements for the quantification of microplastics from common PE-, PP-, and PS-based packaging materials with a particle size < 1 mm found in compost or soils with high natural organic matter content (> 10 % determined by loss on ignition). Microplastics could be detected in model samples at a mass fraction of 1 mg g-1. The detectable microplastic mass fraction is about an order of magnitude lower compared to previous studies using NIR spectroscopy without additional enrichment. To emphasize the cost-effectiveness of the method, it was implemented using some of the cheapest and most
compact NIR spectrometers available.
µ-FTIR spectroscopy is a widely used technique in microplastics research. It allows to simultaneously characterize the material of the small particles, fibers or fragments, and to specify their size distribution and shape. Modern detectors offer the possibility to perform two-dimensional imaging of the sample providing detailed information. However, datasets are often too large for manual evaluation calling for automated microplastic identification. Library search based on the comparison with known reference spectra has been proposed to solve this problem.
To supplement this ‘targeted analysis’, an exploratory approach was tested. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to drastically reduce the size of the data set while maintaining the significant information. Groups of similar spectra in the prepared data set were identified with cluster analysis. Members of different clusters could be assigned to different polymer types whereas the variation observed within a cluster gives a hint on the chemical variability of microplastics of the same type. Spectra labeled according to the respective cluster can be used for supervised learning. The obtained classification was tested on an independent data set and results were compared to the spectral library search approach.
Working towards a comprehensive understanding of introduction pathways, number, and fate of micro¬plastics in the environment, suitable analytical methods are a precondition. Micro-spectroscopic methods are probably the most widely used techniques. Besides their ability to measure single spectra of a particle or fiber, most modern FTIR- and Raman microscopes are also capable of two-dimensional imaging. This is very appealing to microplastics research because it allows to simultaneously characterize the analytes chemically as well as their size (distribution) and shape.
Two-dimensional imaging on extensive sample areas with FTIR-micros¬copes is facilitated by focal plane array (FPA) detectors resulting in large data sets comprised of up to several million spectra. With numbers too large for manual inspection of each individual spectrum, automated data evaluation is inevitable. Identifying different polymers based on the comparison with known reference spectra (library search) has proven to be a suitable approach. For that purpose, FTIR-spectra of common plastics can be collected to create an individual reference library.
To Supplement this ‘targeted analysis’, looking for known substances via library search, an exploratory approach was tested. Principal component analysis (PCA) proved to be a helpful tool to drastically reduce the size of the data set while maintaining the significant information. Subsequently, cluster analysis was used to find groups of similar spectra. Spectra found in different clusters could be assigned to different polymer types. The variation observed within clusters gives a hint on chemical variability of microplastics of the same polymer found in the sample. Spectra labeled according to the respective cluster/polymer type were used to build a classification model which allowed to quickly predict the polymer type based on the FTIR spectrum. Classification was tested on a second, independent data set and results were compared to the spectral library search procedure.
Für die Erfassung der Verbreitung von Mikroplastik (MP) in der Umwelt ist die zeit- und kostenaufwendige Analysestrategie und der damit verbundene geringe Probendurchsatz eine limitierende Größe. Eine große Zahl verschiedener Studien dokumentriet das Auftreten von MP über den gesamten Globus. Meist sind die Studien aufgrund des großen analytischen Aufwands auf exemplarische, stichpunktartige Untersuchungen kleiner Umweltaliquoten und zahlenmäßig kleiner Probenumfänge begrenzt. Um die Verbreitung, die Eintragspfade und den Verbleib von MP in der Umwelt besser zu verstehen und effektive Vermeidungsstrategien abzuleiten, ist es jedoch notwendig, analytisch mehr Proben erfassen zu können.
Bildgebende mikro-spektroskopische Methoden wie das Raman- und FTIR-Imaging ermöglichen eine zeitaufwendige, umfassende Charakterisierung kleiner Umweltaliquoten. Neben der Partikelanzahl sind zusätzlich Informationen zu Partikelgröße, Größenverteilung und Oberflächenmorphologie zugänglich. Chemische und thermische Extraktionsverfahren sind bereits deutlich schneller und können diese Informationen durch eine Massenbilanz vervollständigen. Die analysierbare Probenmenge ist jedoch auf Milligramm Mengen beschränkt.
Wir schlagen daher vor, die Analyse von Proben auf MP durch ein vorangestelltes Screening mit der Nahinfrarot-Spektroskopie (NIRS) zur komplementieren. In diesem wird bereits eine erste Einschätzung über die Präsenz von MP in einer Probe gefällt und dadurch die wertvolle Messzeit anderer Methoden effizienter genutzt.
NIR zur Analyse von Polymeren wird seit langem eingesetzt, jedoch bisher lediglich im Rahmen einer Studie zur Mikroplastikuntersuchung mittels Hyperspektraler Bildgebung beschrieben. Der NIR Spektralbereich findet sich zwischen dem sichtbaren Licht und dem mittleren Infrarot (MIR). MIR Spektren sind durch klar definierte Banden charakterisiert, welche mehrheitlich von den Grundschwingungen der Moleküle stammen. Die höheren Energien im nahen Infrarot regen hingegen Kombinations- und Oberschwingungen der Streck und Biegeschwingungen an. Die resultierenden Absorptionsbanden sind oft breit und relativ unspezifisch. Erst mit Hilfe einer computergestützten Datenauswertung lassen sich aus diesen Spektren nützliche Informationen gewinnen. Dies erklärt die steigende Popularität der NIR-Spektroskopie in der jüngeren Vergangenheit mit einem Schwerpunkt als prozessanalytische Methode. NIR Spektrometer für das industrielle Prozessmonitoring zeichnen sich durch eine kompakte und robuste Konstruktionsweise aus. Die verfügbaren faseroptischen Reflexionssonden eignen sich gut um pulverförmige Proben zu untersuchen. Der räumlich erfassbare Messbereich kann durch die Sondengeometrie variiert werden. Sind die untersuchten Partikel im Verhältnis zur abgetasteten Fläche klein, wird als spektrale Information die Summe der Absorption aller Partikel im Sichtfeld erfasst. Die Methode ist deshalb nicht für Detailuntersuchungen von MP geeignet, erlaubt es jedoch innerhalb weniger Minuten eine Einschätzung über das Vorkommen von Mikroplastik in einer Probe zu treffen.
Exemplarisch wurden für diese Untersuchungen vier der am weitesten verbreiteten Kunststoffe Polyethylen (PE), Polyethylenterephthalat (PET), Polypropylen (PP) und Polystyrol (PS) gewählt. Aus den additivfreien Polymeren wurden nach einer Kryo-vermahlung und anschließender Siebung (< 125 µm) Modellproben generiert. Die Polymere wurden dafür zu einem Massenanteil von 1 % mit einem Standardboden (LUFA2.3, gesiebt < 125 µm) vermischt. Die Gesamtmenge von 1 g je Probe wurde in Aluminiumbehältern präpariert und 8 Messungen an unterschiedlichen, zufällig gewählten Positionen vorgenommen. Die erhaltenen Spektren wurden zur Kalibrierung chemometrischer Modelle genutzt.
In einem hierarchischen Ansatz wurde anhand der NIR-Spektren eine Klassifizierung vorgenommen:
1. Bestimmung ob eine Probe MP enthält (Ja/Nein).
2. Identifikation der Polymere in der Probe.
Eine aussagekräftige Klassifizierung beruht auf einer Vorbehandlung der Spektren. Hierdurch werden die Unterschiede zwischen den einzelnen Polymerbanden hervorgehoben. Die Eignung der so erstellten Modelle wurde anhand eines Referenzmaterials und am Beispiel von Realproben erfolgreich getestet. Dabei zeigte sich, dass nicht nur in den erstellten Polymer-Bodenmischungen, sondern auch in den Rückständen von fermentiertem Bioabfall und in Filterrückständen einer Waschmaschine, MP richtig erkannt wurde. Weiterhin zeigten Tests mit Mikroplastik-freien Bodenproben unterschiedlicher Herkunft, dass keine falsch-positive Resultate erzeugt wurden. Alle vier untersuchten Polymere, d.h. PE, PET, PS und PP mit einem Massenanteil von 1 % in einer Bodenmatrix werden auch bei einer gemischten Polymerzusammensetzung mit der NIR-Spektroskopie erkannt.
Der kombinierte Einsatz von NIRS und Chemometrie ermöglicht die Entscheidung über ein potenzielles Vorkommen sowie die Zuordnung des Materials der enthaltenen Polymerpartikel für eine Massefraktion ≥ 1 % in einer (trockenen) Probenmenge von 1 g innerhalb von 10–15 min. Der zeitaufwendige Schritt der Methode liegt hier in der Erstellung geeigneter chemometrischer Modelle sowie deren Validierung. Wesentliche Voraussetzung ist dabei, dass bei der Kalibrierung die Varianz der zu erwartenden Partikel und der Matrix realistisch abgebildet wird.
Fluorescent sensory MIP (molecularly imprinted polymer) particles were combined with a droplet-based 3D microfluidic system for the selective determination of a prototype small-molecule analyte of environmental concern, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid or 2,4-D, at nanomolar concentration directly in water samples. A tailor-made fluorescent indicator cross-linker was thus designed that translates the binding event directly into an enhanced fluorescence signal. The phenoxazinone-type cross-linker was co-polymerized into a thin MIP layer grafted from the surface of silica microparticles following a RAFT (reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer) polymerization protocol. While the indicator cross-linker outperformed its corresponding monomer twin, establishment of a phase-transfer protocol was essential to guarantee that the hydrogen bond-mediated signalling mechanism between the urea binding site on the indicator cross-linker and the carboxylate group of the analyte was still operative upon real sample analysis. The latter was achieved by integration of the fluorescent core-shell MIP sensor particles into a modular microfluidic platform that allows for an in-line phasetransfer assay, extracting the analyte from aqueous sample droplets into the organic phase that contains the sensor particles. Real-time fluorescence determination of 2,4-D down to 20 nM was realized with the system and applied for the analysis of various surface water samples collected from different parts of the world.
The plant secondary metabolite families of coumarin and 4-hydroxy coumarin have a broad pharmacological spectrum ranging from antibacterial to anticancer properties. One prominent member of this substance class is the synthetic but naturally inspired anticoagulant drug and rodenticide warfarin (coumadin). A vast number of publications focus on the identification of warfarin and its major cytochrome P450-mediated phase I metabolites by liquid chromatography (LC) with mass spectrometry (MS) and tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) detection techniques. For the first time, electron ionization (EI) induced high-resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometric (HR-qToF-MS) data of in-liner derivatized warfarin and selected hydroxylated species is provided in this study as an alternative to LC-MS/MS approaches. Furthermore, the characteristic fragments and fragmentation pathways of the analyzed methyl ethers are concluded. The obtained data of analytical standards, specific deuterated and 13C-labeled compounds prove inductive cleavage of the acyl or acetonyl side chain, methyl migration, and H-migration, along with consequential inductive cleavage as predominant fragmentation routes. Based on the HR-spectral data, commonalities and differences between the analyzed compounds and fragment groups were evaluated with future applicability in structure elucidation and spectra prediction of related compounds.
AbstractSince the 1950s, Warfarin has been used globally as both a prescription drug and a rodenticide. Research has shown that warfarin and other rodenticides are present in the environment and food chain. However, emerging contaminants are subject to degradation by biotic and abiotic processes and advanced oxidation processes. In some cases, detecting the parent compound may not be possible due to the formation of structurally changed species. This approach aims to identify hydroxylated transformation products of warfarin in a laboratory setting, even after the parent compound has undergone degradation. Therefore, the Fenton reaction is utilized to insert hydroxylation into the parent compound, warfarin, by hydroxyl and hydroperoxyl radicals generated by Fe2+/Fe3+ redox reaction with hydrogen peroxide. Using multiple reaction monitoring, a GC–MS/MS method, incorporating isotopically labeled reference compounds, is used to quantify the expected derivatized species. The analytes are derivatized using trimethyl-3-trifluoromethyl phenyl ammonium hydroxide, and the derivatization yield of warfarin is determined by using isotopically labeled reference compounds. The method has a linear working range of 30 to 1800 ng/mL, with detection limits ranging from 18.7 to 67.0 ng/mL. The analytes are enriched using a C18-SPE step, and the recovery for each compound is calculated. The Fenton reaction generates all preselected hydroxylated transformation products of warfarin. The method successfully identifies that 4′-Me-O-WAR forms preferentially under the specified experimental conditions. By further optimizing the SPE clean-up procedures, this GC–MS-based method will be suitable for detecting transformation products in more complex matrices, such as environmental water samples. Overall, this study provides a better understanding of warfarin’s degradation and offers a robust analytical tool for investigating its transformation products.
Herein, we present the development of a gas chromatographic method for Determination of warfarin, its TPs, and selected metabolites.
TPs were formed by applying UV-irradiation, ozonation, and an electrochemical cell coupled to mass spectrometry to mimic the oxidative phase I metabolism. The further aim is to use this method for detection and quantification under environmentally relevant conditions, as well as, toxicological assessment.
Herein, we present liquid and gas chromatographic methods coupled with
(high-resolution) mass spectrometry for the analysis of warfarin’s TPs.
Methodologies such as UV-irradiation, ozonation, and chlorination were
utilized to simulate primarily technical water treatment, as well as, abiotic transformation processes. Examination of resulting compounds by numerous analytical methods has provided first insights into a multitude of formed substances. Moreover, the oxidative phase I metabolism was mimicked by an electrochemical flow cell with the aim to synthesize and confirm major metabolic products via a nonbiologically mediated process. The further aim is the toxicological assessment of relevant TPs, as well as, the quantification of warfarin and its TPs under environmentally relevant conditions employing the introduced methodologies.
Herein, we present liquid and gas chromatographic methods coupled to (high-resolution) mass spectrometry for the analysis of warfarin’s transformation products.
Methodologies such as UV-irradiation, ozonation, and chlorination were utilised to simulate technical water treatment. Resulting compounds were elucidated and examined by numerous analytical methods. Moreover, the oxidative phase I metabolism was mimicked by an electrochemical flow cell to synthesise and confirm major metabolites. The further aim is the toxicological assessment of all substances formed, as well as, the quantification of warfarin and its TPs under environmentally relevant conditions employing the introduced methods.
Warfarin ist seit den 1950er Jahren einer der bekanntesten Gerinnungshemmer. Beim Menschen wird es bis heute zur Vorbeugung von Thrombose und der Behandlung von Vorhofflimmern und Arrhythmie eingesetzt. Doch schon einige Jahre vor der FDA Zulassung (U. S. Food and Drug Administration) als Medikament wurde es zur Bekämpfung von Nagetieren eingesetzt. Bis heute wurde es nur teilweise durch weitaus wirksamere antikoagulante Rodentizide (ARs) der zweiten Generation, sogenannte Superwarfarine, ersetzt.
In der Fachliteratur finden sich zahlreiche Beispiele für sekundäre und tertiäre Vergiftung mit ARs bei Wildtieren und anderen Nichtzieltieren. Bisher ist relativ wenig über die Bioakkumulation, Persistenz und Toxizität von ARs und deren Transformationsprodukten (TPs) in der terrestrischen und aquatischen Umwelt, sowie der Nahrungskette bekannt.
Um Einblicke in mögliche Transformations- und Abbauprozesse von Warfarin unter umweltrelevanten Bedingungen zu erhalten und um diese Einflüsse zu simulieren, wurde hierzu eine elektrochemische Reaktorzelle in Kopplung mit einem Massenspektrometer verwendet. So können mögliche Phase-I-Metabolite und sogenannte „oxidation products“ vorausgesagt werden. Hinsichtlich des Verhaltens während der Wasseraufbereitung in Kläranlagen wurden technisch relevante Prozesse wie Chlorung, UV-Bestrahlung und Ozonung in Modellen simuliert, um hier potenzielle Abbauwege und -prozesse aufzuklären. Gebildete Transformationsprodukte wurden daher mittels unterschiedlicher chromatografischer Verfahren getrennt und massenspektrometrisch identifiziert, charakterisiert und verglichen.
Warfarin ist seit den 1950er Jahren einer der bekanntesten Gerinnungshemmer. Beim Menschen wird es bis heute zur Vorbeugung von Thrombose und der Behandlung von Vorhofflimmern und Arrhythmie eingesetzt. Doch schon einige Jahre vor der FDA Zulassung (U. S. Food and Drug Administration) als Medikament wurde es zur Bekämpfung von Nagetieren eingesetzt. Bis heute wurde es nur teilweise durch weitaus wirksamere antikoagulante Rodentizide (ARs) der zweiten Generation, sogenannte Superwarfarine, ersetzt. In der Fachliteratur finden sich zahlreiche Beispiele für sekundäre und tertiäre Vergiftung mit ARs bei Wildtieren und anderen Nichtzieltieren. Bisher ist relativ wenig über die Bioakkumulation, Persistenz und Toxizität von ARs und deren Transformationsprodukten (TPs) in der terrestrischen und aquatischen Umwelt, sowie der Nahrungskette bekannt.
Um Einblicke in mögliche Transformations- und Abbauprozesse von Warfarin unter umweltrelevanten Bedingungen zu erhalten und um diese Einflüsse zu simulieren, wurde hierzu eine elektrochemische Reaktorzelle in Kopplung mit einem Massenspektrometer verwendet. So können mögliche Phase-I-Metabolite und sogenannte „oxidation products“ vorausgesagt werden. Hinsichtlich des Verhaltens während der Wasseraufbereitung in Kläranlagen wurden technisch relevante Prozesse wie Chlorung, UV-Bestrahlung und Ozonung in Modellen simuliert, um hier potenzielle Abbauwege und -prozesse aufzuklären. Gebildete Transformationsprodukte wurden daher mittels unterschiedlicher chromatografischer Verfahren getrennt und massenspektrometrisch identifiziert, charakterisiert und verglichen.
The European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) requires good ecological status of the marine environment. This also includes the Wadden Sea located in the southeastern part of the North Sea and its chemical status of sediments. Based on results from campaigns conducted in the 1980s, 32 surface sediment samples were taken in 2014 to check whether the sampling strategy required for characterizing the trace element content in sediments is representative and to determine the degree of pollution and potential changes over the last decades. For this purpose the elemental mass fractions of 42 elements were assessed in the ≤20 μm grain size fraction of the surface sediments.
Based on cluster analysis a clear correlation between the element distribution and the geographical location of the sampling locations of the German Wadden Sea could be found. As a result of the principal component analysis, three sub-catchments were significantly separated from each other by the characteristic element distributions in the sediments (Norderney and Weser, Elbe and offshore areas, and North Friesland). With the help of discriminant analysis, the classification was confirmed unambiguously. Small anomalies, such as potentially contaminated sites from WWII, could be identified. This proved that the sampling strategy for sediment characterization with reference to trace elements in the Wadden Sea of the German Bight is representative.
The impact of regulation and changes on the overall sediment quality is most evident when looking at the environmentally critical elements such as As, Cd, Hg, and Cr. For these elements the mean mass fractions show a significant reduction over the last three decades. Current sediments feature only slightly elevated mass fractions of Ag, Cd, Ce, Cs, Nd, Pb and Se at some sampling locations.
The most challenging part in performing a single cell ICP-MS (sc-ICP-MS) approach is the sample preparation, in particular the reduction of the ionic background. This step is, in many cases, time-consuming and required for each sample separately. Furthermore, sc-ICP-MS measurements are mostly carried out "manually", given the fact that present systems are not allowing for an automated change of samples. Thus, within this work, we developed an approach based on a HPLC system coupled on-line with sc-ICP-MS via a set of switching valves as well as an in-line filter for automated cell washing. This set-up enables the ionic background removal as well as analysis of single cells completely automated without any manual sample pretreatment. Our approach was applied for the analysis of the single celled diatom species Cyclotella meneghiniana, a marine diatom species, on the basis of Mg24 and facilitates testing in 11 min per sample, requiring only around 10,000 cells in a volume of 10 µL and approx. 10 mL of a 5% MeOH/95% deionized water (v/v) mixture. Even at extremely saline culturing media concentrations (up to 1000 mg L-1 magnesium) our on-line approach worked sufficiently allowing for distinction of ionic and particulate fractions. Furthermore, a set of diatom samples was analyzed completely automated without the need for changing samples manually. So, utilizing this approach enables analyzing a high quantity of samples in a short time and therefore in future the investigation of ecotoxicological effects is simplified for example in terms of metal accumulation by taking biovariability into account.
Rationale: (Eco-)toxicological effects are mostly derived empirically and are notcorrelated with metal uptake. Furthermore, if the metal content is determined,mostly bulk analysis of the whole organism population is conducted; thus, biologicalvariability is completely disregarded, and this may lead to misleading results. Toovercome this issue, we compared two different solid sampling techniques for theanalysis of single organisms.Methods: In this study, complementary electrothermal vaporization/inductivelycoupled plasma mass spectrometry (ETV/ICP-MS) , laser ablation/inductivelycoupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA/ICP-MS)-based methods for the analysisof individual organisms were developed and the results obtained were comparedwith the concentrations obtained after digestion and measured using ICP-MS.For this purpose, a common (eco-)toxicological test organism, the mud shrimpCorophium volutator, was selected. As proof-of-concept application, these organismswere incubated with environmentally relevant metals from galvanic anodes, whichare often used for protection against metal corrosion in, for example, offshorewind farms.Results: The bulk analysis revealed that large quantities of the incubated elementswere detectable. Using the ETV/ICP-MS method, we could identify a highbiovariability within the population of organisms tested. Using the LA/ICP-MSmethod, it could be determined that the large quantities of the elements detectedwere due to adsorption of the metals and not due to uptake, which correlates wellwith the absence of (eco-)toxicological effects.Conclusions: The results obtained imply the efficiency of complementary methods toexplain the absence or presence of (eco-)toxicological effects. In particular, methodsthat allow for single-organism analysis or provide even a spatial resolution supportthe interpretation of ecotoxicological findings.
Diatoms play a key role in assessing the eco-toxicology of metals and are already part of several national and international guidelines and regulations. Data on metal uptake and its correlation with a natural metal composition of the diatoms are mostly lacking on a cellular basis - mainly due to the lack of a suitable method on both the preparation and detection side. Therefore, within this work a fully automated approach based on the on-line coupling of a high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) and an inductively coupled plasma-time of flight-mass spectrometer (ICP-ToF-MS) was applied to analyze single cells of the alga Cyclotella meneghiniana multi-elementally in order to provide a deeper insight into the metal composition and its response to environmental stress. Multi-elemental analysis in single diatoms also enables assessment of combined toxicity of a set of metals. A set of four fingerprint elements, characteristically for diatoms (Mg, P, Si, Fe), were identified and hence the investigation of environmental stress onto the cells was enabled by performing incubation experiments with environmentally relevant toxic elements. It could be shown at moderate environmental stress caused by increasing the metal concentration in the medium (zinc) that the fingerprint element concentrations remained stable and thus the suitability of the selected elements for algae tracing was demonstrated. With regard to further ecotoxicological assessments, a multivariate approach was successfully applied allowing for cell classification upon different incubation concentration levels. This multivariate approach also facilitated an effective identification of three different diatom species (Cyclotella meneghiniana, Thalassiosira weissflogii and Thalassiosira pseudonana).
The introduction of fluorine in organic molecules leads to new chemical/physical properties. Especially in the field of pharmaceuticals, fluorinated organic molecules are becoming more and more popular and at present amount up to 25% of market share, with an upward trend. The main benefits of fluorinated pharmaceuticals are: (i) enhanced fat solubility; (ii) enhanced interaction of catalytic-center of enzymes with fluorine-drugs; (iii) a delayed metabolism within the human body. Highly fluorinated organic substances are also used in technical applications (e.g. coatings, fire-extinguishing agents).
Due to the broad variety of fluorinated substances and increasing production volumes numerous and up to date unknown fluorine-species are most likely to be present in the (aquatic) environment. Analytical methods to assess the degree of contamination of surface waters with organically bound fluorine are highly needed and up to now only combustion ion chromatography based method is available, which is relatively laborious.
Since a few years’ high resolution-continuum source-graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometers (HR-CS-GFAAS) are commercially available from Analytik Jena. By means of this technique, the detection of high resolution molecular absorption spectra (MAS) is enabled. Thus, fluoride is detectable upon the addition of a modifier and the formation of a diatomic molecule (e.g. GaF). Just recently, we applied this technique for total fluorine (mainly dissolved fluoride) analysis in river water samples.
In the present work a HR-CS-GFMAS method for extractable organically bound fluorine (EOF) analysis in surface water samples was developed by us. The method is based on SPE extraction of organically bound fluorine even in the presence of high fluoride concentrations followed by HR-CS-GFMAS analysis upon elution. Due to high enrichment factors, LODs in the low ng/L range were achieved. We successfully applied our SPE HR-CS-GFMAS method to Rhine water samples and EOF in the range of about 50-300 ng/L was detectable.
The introduction of fluorine in organic molecules leads to new chemical/physical properties. Especially in the field of pharmaceuticals, fluorinated organic molecules are becoming more and more popular and at present amount up to 25% of market share, with an upward trend. The main benefits of fluorinated pharmaceuticals are: (i) enhanced fat solubility; (ii) enhanced interaction of catalytic-center of enzymes with fluorine-drugs; (iii) a delayed metabolism within the human body. Highly fluorinated organic substances are also used in technical applications (e.g. coatings, fire-extinguishing agents).
Due to the broad variety of fluorinated substances and increasing production volumes numerous and up to date unknown fluorine-species are most likely to be present in the (aquatic) environment. Analytical methods to assess the degree of contamination of surface waters with organically bound fluorine are highly needed and up to now only combustion ion chromatography based method is available, which is relatively laborious.
Since a few years’ high resolution-continuum source-graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometers (HR-CS-GFAAS) are commercially available from Analytik Jena. By means of this technique, the detection of high resolution molecular absorption spectra (MAS) is enabled. Thus, fluoride is detectable upon the addition of a modifier and the formation of a diatomic molecule (e.g. GaF). Just recently, we applied this technique for total fluorine (mainly dissolved fluoride) analysis in river water samples.
In the present work a HR-CS-GFMAS method for extractable organically bound fluorine (EOF) analysis in surface water samples was developed by us. The method is based on SPE extraction of organically bound fluorine even in the presence of high fluoride concentrations followed by HR-CS-GFMAS analysis upon elution. Due to high enrichment factors, LODs in the low ng/L range were achieved. We successfully applied our SPE HR-CS-GFMAS method to Rhine water samples and EOF in the range of about 50-300 ng/L was detectable.
Introducing fluorine into organic molecules leads to new chemical/physical properties. Up to now, the OECD identified and categorized 4730 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances-related CAS numbers. Especially in the field of technical applications (e.g. surface coatings, fire extinguishing foams) as well as pharmaceuticals, fluorinated substances gain in importance. Thus, an increasing release of fluorinated compounds into the environment is expected.
The high environmental persistence of perfluorinated compounds leads to the risk of bioaccumulation. Partially fluorinated substances (polyfluorinated compounds) undergo degradation; thus, further possible fluorine species occur, which may exhibit different toxic/chemical properties. However, current target methods (e.g., HPLC/MS-MS) are not applicable for a comprehensive screening as well as assessment of pollution.
Thus, the poster presents a new sum parameter method for quantitative determination of extractable organically bound fluorine (EOF) in surface water samples. The method is based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) for fluorinated compounds as well as quantitative separation of interfering inorganic fluoride in combination with high-resolution-continuum source graphite furnace molecular absorption spectrometry (HR-CS GF MAS) for quantitative analysis. By means of this technique, the detection of high resolution molecular absorption spectra (MAS) is enabled upon the addition of a modifier and the formation of a diatomic molecule (e.g. GaF)
After successful optimization of the SPE procedure (maximum concentration of extractable organic fluorine), enrichment factors of about 1000 were achieved, allowing for highly sensitive fluorine detection. Next to a species-unspecific response, limits of detection in the low nanogram per liter range were achieved and real surface water samples were analyzed. EOF values in the range of about 50-300 ng/L were detected.
The developed method allows for a fast and sensitive as well as selective screening of organically bound fluorine (EOF) in surface water samples, helping to elucidate pollution hotspots as well as discharge routes.
Elementanalytische Verfahren werden heute zu mehr eingesetzt als bloß zur Bestimmung von Metallgesamtgehalten in diversen Probenmatrizes. Sie stellen heute ein wichtiges Werkzeug zur Beantwortung lebenswissenschaftlicher Fragen aus Umwelt, Medizin und Biologie dar. In der vorliegenden Arbeit kommt die single-cell-ICP-Flugzeitmassenspektrometrie (single-cell-ICP-TOF-MS) zur Multielementanalytik in einzelnen Kieselalgen (Diatomeen) zum Einsatz und wird zukünftig ein wichtiges Werkzeug z.B. bei der Beantwortung
ökotoxikologischer Fragestellung sein.
Technology critical elements (TCE) are key materials for high-tech products such as smartphones, notebooks and monitors. Their demand is expected to increase exponentially as a result of the shift towards greener economy through the deployment of renewable energy and electro mobility solutions (European Green Deal). This and the lack of natural resources in the EU, puts the market under pressure and leads to increasing prices. The need to secure TCE supply has become even more pressing under the current health crisis and it is a major objective of the Covid-19 Recovery Plan aimed at reinforcing Europe’s resilience and autonomy. A sustainable solution for solving this problem is first through recycling and finally through a circular economy. However, the analysis of waste streams is a complicating factor and requires suitable analytical solutions first, which need to be traceable to the SI to allow for comparability of measurement results throughout the recycling process or the circular economy. The required reference materials certified for TCE in the corresponding waste or secondary raw materials and specific documentary standards for TCE to comply with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements, however, are lacking. Furthermore, wastes from the urban mine are extremely heterogeneous, which makes the estimation of their TCE content difficult. Currently there is a lack of knowledge at the European level about the TCE stocks and flows in the urban mine. Given the high volume of waste generated and received, fast reliable analytical methods as well as sampling and sample preparation strategies are needed to determine the economic value of the waste and of the final product and to develop recycling procedures. Within this project we focus on a set of TCEs(Co, Ga, Ge, In, Ta, Nd, Pr, Dy, Gd, La, Au, Pt, Pd, Rh), which have been selected from the list of critical elements for Europe established by the EU in 2017. The overall objective of the project is to provide reliable and SI traceable determination of TCE in urban waste material at µg/g levels in order to increase the efficiency and accuracy of TCE recycling. This will be realized by developing validated SI-traceable reference methods, developing traceable and validated reference materials for the TCEs, validating the use of the routine methods and reference materials for real world applications and facilitating the take up of the technology and measurement infrastructure developed in the project by the measurement supply chain, standards developing organisations and end users.
Technologie-kritische Elemente (TCE) sind unentbehrliche Materialien für High-Tech Produkte wie Smartphones, Notebooks und Monitors. Ihr Bedarf wird voraussichtlich aufgrund des gesellschaftlichen Wandels hin zu einer grünen Ökonomie exponentiell ansteigen. Dieser Wandel wird vor allem auch durch erneuerbare Energien und Elektromobilität geprägt (European Green Deal). Diese Entwicklung in Verbindung mit einer nahezu fehlenden TCE Produktion in Europa setzt den Markt unter Druck und führt zu steigenden Preisen. Die Sicherung des TCE Nachschubs wurde in der gegenwärtigen Gesundheitskrise noch dringender und wurde daher auch zu einem der Hauptthemen des COVID-19 Recovery Plan, der eine Stärkung der europäischen Resilienz und Autonomie zum Ziel hat. Ein nachhaltige Lösung ist das Recycling der Abfall- bzw. Wertstoffe und letztendlich eine Circular Economy. Allerdings ist die Analyse von Abfallströmen schwierig und erfordert geeignete analytische Lösungen, die SI-rückführbare und somit vergleichbare Messergebnisse im gesamten Recyclingprozess ermöglichen. Die dafür erforderlichen, für TCE zertifizierte, Referenzmaterialien und nötige standardisierte Verfahren fehlen bisher nahezu vollständig. In diesem Beitrag werden die analytischen Herausforderungen, wie z.B. die extreme Heterogenität der Materialien, Schwierigkeiten beim Probenaufschluss und das Fehlen von Referenzmaterialien diskutiert. Und es wird das EMPIR-Projekt MetroCycleEU vorgestellt, dessen Ziel es ist Referenz- und Routineverfahren für ausgewählte TCE (Co, Ga, Ge, In, Ta, Nd, Pr, Dy, Gd, La, Au, Pt, Pd, Rh) zu entwickeln und Referenzmaterialien für Platinen, LEDs und Li-Batterien bereitzustellen.
Technology critical elements (TCE) are key materials for high-tech products such as smartphones, notebooks and monitors. Their demand is expected to increase exponentially due to the shift towards greener economy through the deployment of renewable energy and electro mobility solutions (European Green Deal). This and the lack of TCE production within the EU, puts the market under pressure and leads to increasing prices. The need to secure TCE supply has become even more pressing under the current health crisis and it is a major objective of the Covid-19 Recovery Plan aimed at reinforcing Europe’s resilience and autonomy. A sustainable solution is effective recycling and finally a circular economy. However, the analysis of waste streams is difficult and requires suitable SI traceable analytical solutions to allow for comparability of measurement results throughout the recycling process. The required reference materials (RMs) certified for TCE in the corresponding waste or secondary raw materials and specific documentary standards for TCE to comply with ISO/IEC 17025 requirements, however, are lacking. Furthermore, waste from the so-called “urban mine” is extremely heterogeneous making the estimation of its TCE content difficult. Currently, there is a lack of knowledge at the European level about the TCE stocks and flows in the urban mine. Given the high volume of waste generated and received, fast reliable analytical methods as well as sampling and sample preparation strategies are needed to determine the economic value of the waste and of the final product and to develop and improve recycling procedures.
Within this project we focus on TCEs (Co, Ga, Ge, In, Ta, Nd, Pr, Dy, Gd, La, Au, Pt, Pd, Rh), which have been selected from the list of critical elements for Europe established by the EU in 2020. The overall objective of the project is to provide the reliable and SI traceable determination of TCE in urban waste material at µg/g levels to increase the efficiency and accuracy of TCE recycling. This will be realized by developing validated SI-traceable reference methods, developing traceable and validated RMs for the TCEs, validating the use of the routine methods and RMs for real world applications and facilitating the take up of the technology and measurement infrastructure developed in the project by the measurement supply chain, standards developing organizations and end users.
This presentation will give an overview of the consortium, the project structure and the planned research. First activities will be presented as well.
Solid wastewater-based fertilizers were screened for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by the extractable organic fluorine (EOF) sum parameter method. The EOF values for ten sewage sludges from Germany and Switzerland range from 154 to 7209 mg kg−1. For thermal treated sewage sludge and struvite the EOF were lower with values up to 121 mg kg−1. Moreover, the application of PFAS targeted
and suspect screening analysis of selected sewage sludge samples showed that only a small part of the EOF sum parameter values can be explained by the usually screened legacy PFAS. The hitherto unknown part of EOF sum parameter contains also fluorinated pesticides, pharmaceutical and aromatic compounds. Because these partly fluorinated compounds can degrade to (ultra-)short PFAS in wastewater treatment plants they should be considered as significant sources of organic fluorine in the environment. The combined results of sum parameter analysis and suspect screening reveal the need to update current regulations, such as the German fertilizer ordinance, to focus not solely on a few selected PFAS such as perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) but
consider an additional sum parameter approach as a more holistic alternative. Moreover, diffusion gradient in thin-films (DGT) passive samplers were utilized as an alternative simplified extraction method for PFAS in solid wastewater-based fertilizers and subsequently quantified via combustion ion chromatography. However, the DGT method was less sensitive and only comparable to the EOF values
of the fertilizers in samples with >150 mg kg−1, because of different diffusion properties for various PFAS, but also kinetic exchange limitations.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemicals which were developed to improve humanity’s quality of life. Due to their high chemical stability and resistance to degradation by heat or acids, PFAS were used in a variety of consumer products. The continuous use of PFAS in household products and the discharge of PFAS from industrial plants into the sewer system resulted in the contamination of effluents and sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) (Roesch et al. 2022). Since sewage sludge is often used as fertilizer, its application on agricultural soils has been observed as a significant entry path for PFAS into the environment, specifically in our food chain. In Germany the sewage sludge/biosolid application on agricultural land was banned with the amendment of the German Sewage Sludge Ordinance and by 2029 sewage sludge application will be totally prohibited. However, phosphorus (P) from sewage sludge should still be recycled in WWTPs of cities with a population larger than 50,000 residents. To produce high-quality P-fertilizers for a circular economy, PFAS and other pollutants (e.g. pesticides and pharmaceuticals) must be separated from sewage sludge. Due to the strong diversity of industrial PFAS usage it is not clear if a safe application of novel recycled P-fertilizers from WWTPs can be guaranteed. Therefore, we analyzed various sewage sludges and wastewater-based fertilizers. Sewage sludge (SL) samples from various WWTPs in Germany and Switzerland, six sewage sludge ashes (SSA) from Germany, six thermally treated SL and SSA samples with different additives (temperatures: 700-1050 °C), two pyrolyzed SL samples (temperature: 400 °C) and two struvite samples from Germany and Canada were analyzed. The goal was to quantify PFAS in sewage sludges and wastewater-based P-fertilizers with the sum parameter extractable organic fluorine (EOF) by combustion ion chromatography (CIC). The results were compared with data from classical LC-MS/MS target analysis as well as selected samples by HR-MS suspect screening. The EOF values of the SLs mainly range between 154 and 538 µg/kg except for one SL which showed an elevated EOF value of 7209 µg/kg due to high organofluorine contamination. For the SSA samples the EOF values were lower and values between LOQ (approx. 60 µg/kg) and 121 µg/kg could be detected. For the pyrolyzed SLs no EOF values above the LOQ were detected. Moreover, the two wastewater-based struvite fertilizers contain 96 and 112 µg/kg EOF, respectively. In contrast to the EOF values, the sum of PFAS target values were relatively low for all SLs. Additional applied PFAS HR-MS suspect screening aimed to tentatively identify PFAS that could contribute to the hitherto unknown part of the EOF value. The majority of the detected fluorinated compounds are legacy PFAS such as short- and long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCA), perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSA), polyfluoroalkyl phosphate esters (PAPs) and perfluorophosphonic acids (PFPA). Moreover, fluorinated pesticides, pharmaceutical as well as aromatic compounds were also identified, which are all included in the EOF parameter. Our research revealed that the current PFAS limit of 100 µg/kg for the sum of PFOS + PFOA in the German Fertilizer Ordinance is no longer up to date. Since the number of known PFAS already exceeds 10,000, the ordinance limit should be updated accordingly. Recent regulations and restrictions on using long-chain PFAS (≥C8) have resulted in a significant shift in the industry towards (ultra-)short-chain alternatives, and other, partly unknown, emerging PFAS. Ultimately, also fluorinated pesticides and pharmaceuticals, which end up as ultrashort PFAS in the WWTPs, have to be considered as possible pollutants in fertilizers from wastewater, too.
Bifunctional fluorescent molecular oxoanion probes based on the benzoxadiazole (BD) chromophore are described which integrate a thiourea binding motif and a polymerizable 2-aminoethyl methacrylate unit in the 4,7-positions of the BD core. Concerted charge transfer in this electron donor-acceptor-donor architecture endows the dyes with strongly Stokes shifted (up to >250 nm) absorption and fluorescence. Binding of electron-rich carboxylate guests at the thiourea receptor leads to further analyte-induced red-shifts of the emission, shifting the fluorescence maximum of the complexes to ≥700 nm. Association constants for acetate are ranging from 1–5×105 M−1 in acetonitrile. Integration of one of the fluorescent probes through its polymerizable moiety into molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) grafted from the surface of submicron silica cores yielded fluorescent MIP-coated particle probes for the selective detection of antibiotics containing aliphatic carboxylate groups such as enoxacin (ENOX) at micromolar concentrations in highly polar solvents like acetonitrile.
Chlorination procedures are commonly applied in swimming pool water and wastewater treatment, yet also in food, pharmaceutical, and paper production. The amount of chlorine in water needs to be strictly controlled to ensure efficient killing of pathogens but avoid the induction of negative health effects. Miniaturized microfluidic fluorescence sensors are an appealing approach here when aiming at online or at-site measurements. Two meso-enamine-substituted boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) dyes were found to exhibit favorable indication properties, their reaction with hypochlorite leading to strong fluorescence enhancement. Real-time assays became possible after integration of these fluorescent probes with designed two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) microfluidic chips, incorporating a passive sinusoidal mixer and a microhydrocyclone, respectively. A comparison of the two microfluidic systems, including their abilities to prevent accumulation or circulation of microbubbles produced by the chemical indication reaction, showed excellent fluidic behavior for the microhydrocyclone-based device. After coupling to a miniaturized optical reader for fluorescence detection, the 2D microfluidic system showed a promising detection range of 0.04−0.5 mg L−1 while still being prone to bubble-induced fluctuations and suffering from considerably low signal gain. The microhydrocyclone-based system was distinctly more robust against gas bubbles, showed a higher signal gain, and allowed us to halve the limit of detection to 0.02 mg L−1. The use of the 3D system to quantify the chlorine content of swimming pool water samples for sensitive and quantitative chlorine monitoring was demonstrated.
Gegenstand dieser Arbeit ist die Untersuchung eines bestehenden pyrometallurgischen Prozesses zur Rückgewinnung von Tantal und Niob aus metallurgischen Reststoffen mit vorwiegend niedriger Wertstoffkonzentration.
Zur näheren Erforschung der im vorliegenden Stoffsystem ablaufenden Reduktionsprozesse wurden in einem Elektrolichtbogenofen Schmelzversuche im Pilotmaßstab durchgeführt. Als Reduktionsmittel diente Koks, welcher mithilfe einer Argon-gespülten Eisenlanze in die flüssige mineralische Schmelze eingebracht wurde. Während der Reduktionsbehandlung werden Refraktärmetalle wie Tantal und Niob in ihre Carbide überführt und anschließend in der erschmolzenen eisenbasierten Metallphase am Boden des Reaktors angereichert. Neben Tantal und Niob gelangt auch ein Teil des im Einsatzmaterial enthaltenen Titans als unerwünschtes Begleitelement in die Metallphase.
Sein Großteil verbleibt jedoch als Oxid in der Schlacke und wird dort hauptsächlich im Mineral Perowskit (CaTiO3) gebunden. Die erstarrten Schlackeproben wurden mit verschiedenen Methoden wie Röntgenfluoreszensanalyse, Röntgenbeugung und Rasterelektronenmikroskopie mit gekoppelter energiedispersiver Röntgenanalyse untersucht, um die Bildung tantalhaltiger Mineralphasen zu verschiedenen Stadien des Reduktionsprozesses zu verfolgen.
Die hier gewonnenen Erkenntnisse zeigen, dass weniger die durch das Einblasen von Koks verursachte Reduktionsreaktion, sondern das Absinken der tantalreichen Eisentröpfchen in der flüssigen mineralischen Schmelze, gefolgt von ihrer Anreicherung in die Metallphase, für die Kinetik ausschlaggebend ist.
Fused filament fabrication (FFF) is a material extrusion-based technique often used in desktop 3D printers. Polymeric filaments are melted and are extruded through a heated nozzle to form a 3D object in layers. The extruder temperature is therefore a key parameter for a successful print job but also one of the main emission driving factors as harmful pollutants (e.g., ultrafine particles) are formed by thermal polymer degradation. The awareness of potential health risks has increased the number of emission studies in the past years. However, studies usually refer their calculated emission data to the printer set extruder temperature for comparison purposes. In this study, we used a thermocouple and an infrared camera to measure the actual extruder temperature and found significant temperature deviations to the displayed set temperature among printer models. Our result shows that printing the same filament feedstocks with three different printer models and with identical printer set temperature resulted in a variation in particle emission of around two orders of magnitude. A temperature adjustment has reduced the variation to approx. one order of magnitude. Thus, it is necessary to refer the measured emission data to the actual extruder temperature as it poses a more accurate comparison parameter for evaluation of the indoor air quality in user scenarios or for health risk assessments.
The emission of ultrafine particles from small desktop Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) 3D printers has been frequently investigated in the past years. However, the vast majority of FFF emission and exposure studies have not considered the possible occurrence of particles below the typical detection limit of Condensation Particle Counters and could have systematically underestimated the total particle emission as well as the related exposure risks. Therefore, we comparatively measured particle number concentrations and size distributions of sub-4 nm particles with two commercially available diethylene glycol-based instruments – the TSI 3757 Nano Enhancer and the Airmodus A10 Particle Size Magnifier. Both instruments were evaluated for their suitability of measuring FFF-3D printing emissions in the sub-4 nm size range while operated as a particle counter or as a particle size spectrometer. For particle counting, both instruments match best when the Airmodus system was adjusted to a cut-off of 1.5 nm. For size spectroscopy, both instruments show limitations due to either the fast dynamics or rather low levels of particle emissions from FFF-3D printing in this range. The effects are discussed in detail in this article. The findings could be used to implement sub-4 nm particle measurement in future emission or exposure studies, but also for the development of standard test protocols for FFF-3D printing emissions.
Fused filament fabrication (FFF) on desktop 3D printers is a material extrusion-based technique often used by educational institutions, small enterprises and private households. Polymeric filaments are melted and extruded through a heated nozzle to form a 3D object in layers. The extrusion temperature is therefore a key parameter for a successful print job, but also one of the main driving factors for the emission of harmful air pollutants, namely ultrafine particles and volatile organic gases, which are formed by thermal stress on the polymeric feedstock. The awareness of potential health risks has increased the number of emission studies in the past years. However, the multiplicity of study designs makes an objective comparison of emission data challenging because printer hardware factors such as the actual extruder temperature (TE) and also feedstockspecific emissions are not considered. We assume that across the market of commercial low- and mid-price FFF printers substantial deviations between actual and set extruder temperatures exist, which have a strong effect on the emissions and hence may bias the findings of exposure studies. In our last publication, we presented a standardized feedstock-specific emission test method and showed that for each investigated feedstock an increase in actual extruder temperature was accompanied by an increase in particle emissions (Tang and Seeger, 2022). Therefore, any systematic discrepancy between set and actual extruder temperature matters. In this study, we used a thermocouple and an infrared camera to measure the actual extruder temperatures at different heights. We found significant under- and overestimation of the actual extruder temperatures by the respective set temperatures in three commercial printers. This caused a broad variation of the measured total numbers of emitted particles (TP), even when the same feedstock was operated. For the determination of TP, we followed the DE-UZ 219 test guideline. In a second round we repeated the tests with all printers adjusted to exactly the same extruder temperatures, i.e., to TE=230°C for ABS and TE=210°C for PLA. All measurements were conducted in a 1 m³ emission test chamber. Particle emissions in the size range between 4 nm and 20 μm were detected. Printing on three different printer models without temperature adjustment resulted for each of the investigated feedstocks in a variation in TP of around two orders of magnitude. After temperature adjustment, this was substantially reduced to approx. one order of magnitude and hence minimizes the bias of printer hardware on the emissions. Our findings suggest that adjustment of the extruder temperature should be mandatory in emission testing standards. It also poses a more accurate benchmark and provides more reliable emission data for evaluation of indoor air quality or for health risk assessments. In addition, a proper temperature setting is in the interest of the user. Some commercial FFF printers may have a higher actual extruder temperature than displayed and unintended overheating may not only impair the print quality but may cause unnecessarily increased exposure to particle emissions.
This contribution reports the development of a polymerizable BODIPY-type fluorescent probe targeting small-molecule carboxylates for incorporation into molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). The design of the probe crosslinker includes a urea recognition site p-conjugated to the 3-position of the BODIPY core and two methacrylate moieties. Titration experiments with a carboxylate-expressing antibiotic, levofloxacin (LEVO), showed a blue shift of the absorption band as well as a broadening and decrease in emission, attributed to hydrogen bonding between the probe’s urea group and the carboxylate group of the antibiotic. Using this probe crosslinker, core–shell particles with a silica core and a thin MIP shell were prepared for the detection of LEVO. The MIP exhibited highly selective recognition of LEVO, with an imprinting factor of 18.1 compared to the non-imprinted polymer. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the core–shell structure and spectroscopic studies revealed that the receptor’s positioning leads to a unique perturbation of the polymethinic character of the BODIPY chromophore, entailing the favourable responses. These features are fully preserved in the MIP, whereas no such response was observed for competitors such as ampicillin. The sensory particles allowed to detect LEVO down to submicromolar concentrations in dioxane. We have developed here for the first time a BODIPY probe for organic carboxylates and incorporated it into polymers using the imprinting technique, paving the way for BODIPY-type fluorescent MIP sensors.
Estrogens are endocrine disrupting chemicals and of high concerns due to demonstrated harmful effects on the environment and low effect levels. For monitoring and risk assessment, several estrogens were included in the "watch list" of the EU Water Framework Directive which sets very low environmental quality standard (EQS) levels for Estrone (E1) and 17β-Estradiol (E2) of 0.4 ng L−1 and for 17α-Ethinylestradiol (EE2) of 0.035 ng L−1 requiring sensitive detection methods, as well as extensive sample preparation. A sensitive, derivatization-free, isotope dilution calibration HPLC-MS/MS method for a panel of 5 selected estrogens (including the 3 estrogens of the EU WFD watchlist), and a procedure for the reproducible preparation of a representative whole water matrix including mineral water, humic acids and solid particulate matter are presented. These are used in a diligent comparison of classical solid phase extraction (SPE) on hydrophilic-lipophilic balanced (HLB) phase to SPE on an estrogen-specific molecularly imprinted polymer phase (MISPE) for ultra-trace levels of the analytes (1–10 ng L−1). Additionally, a two-step procedure combining HLB SPE disks followed by MISPE is evaluated. The tow-step procedure provides superior enrichment, matrix removal and sample throughput while maintaining comparable recovery rates to simple cartridge SPE. Estimated method quantification limits (MQLs) range from 0.109–0.184 ng L−1 and thus meet EQS-levels for E1 and E2, but not EE2. The representative whole water matrix provides a reproducible comparison of sample preparation methods and lays the foundation for a certified reference material for estrogen analysis. The presented method will serve as the basis for an extended validation study to assess its use for estrogen monitoring in the environment.
EDC WFD project to deliver reliable measurements of estrogens for better monitoring surveys and risk assessments.
Collaboration between National Metrology Institutes and advanced research institutes from 6 European countries A Balance of expertise: development and certification of RM, proficiency tests / interlaboratory comparison design, method development and validation, standardisation A 3 years project: September 2019- August 2022
Strong engagement with stakeholders (Advisory Group)
Metrology for Monitoring of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Under the EU Water Framework Directive
(2021)
Monitoring programs should generate high-quality data on the concentrations of substances and other pollutants in the aquatic environment to enable reliable risk assessment. Furthermore, the need for comparability over space and time is critical for analysis of trends and evaluation of restoration of natural environment. Additionally, research work and exercises at the European level have highlighted that reliable measurements of estrogenic substances especially three estrogens of the first watch list (17-beta-estradiol (17βE2), 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2), and estrone (E1))at the PNEC level are still challenging to achieve.With respects to their physicochemical properties, the 3 substances have the potential to disseminate within aquatic environments, to enter the food chain and to bioaccumulate, Chemical monitoring relies on a succession of actions: sampling, storage and preservation of representative samples; pre-treatment of a sample portion for quantification, calibration, final determination, calculation of results, uncertainty estimation and final expression of results. Throughout this chain of operations, the guarantee of the stability of the analyte is a key issue that has to be addressed to correctly qualify and discuss monitoring data.
The project EDC-WFD aims to develop traceable analytical methods for determining endocrine disrupting compounds and their effects, with a specific focus on three estrogens of the first watch. Environmental quality standards (EQS) for these compounds are at the ultra-trace level (EQS EE2 = 35 pg/L, EQS E2 = 400 pg/L, EQS E1 = 3600 pg/L) and pose a significant challenge to analytical methods. Estrogens 17-alpha-estradiol (17αE2) and estriol (E3) will be included to demonstrate the reliability of the developed methods and to support the requirements of Directive 2013/39/EC, Directive 2009/90/EC and Commission Implementation Decision (EU) 2018/840, hence improving the comparability and compatibility of measurement results within Europe. The project will also evaluate the interaction and partitioning of the 5 estrogenic compounds between water samples and suspended particulate matter (SPM) and the capability of developed methods to address the different fractions of matrix (whole water and dissolved concentrations of estrogens).
This contribution will present the objectives and methods applied within the EDC-WFD project that could support a better comprehension of the biogeochemical cycle of selected estrogenic substances in aquatic system
Funding: This project (18NMR01) has received funding from the EMPIR programme co-financed by the Participating States and from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme
Monitoring programs should generate high-quality data on the concentrations of substances and other pollutants in the aquatic environment to enable reliable risk assessment. Furthermore, the need for comparability over space and time is critical for analysis of trends and evaluation of restoration of natural environment. Additionally, research work and exercises at the European level have highlighted that reliable measurements of estrogenic substances at the PNEC level are still challenging to achieve.
The project EDC-WFD Metrology for monitoring endocrine disrupting compounds under the EU Water Framework Directive aims to develop traceable analytical methods for determining endocrine disrupting compounds and their effects, with a specific focus on three estrogens of the first watch list (17-beta-estradiol (17βE2), 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2), and estrone (E1)). Estrogens 17-alpha-estradiol (17αE2) and estriol (E3) will be included to demonstrate the reliability of the developed methods and to support the requirements of Directive 2013/39/EC, Directive 2009/90/EC and Commission Implementation Decision (EU) 2018/840, hence improving the comparability and compatibility of measurement results within Europe. During the EDC-WFD project four selected effect-based methods (EBM) will be deeply investigated in order to improve their rationale use and their support in water quality assessment. In particular, the EBM sensitivity, specificity and accuracy on reference materials with single or mixture solutions of the five substances at a concentration of EQS values will be explored.
This project (18NMR01) has received funding from the EMPIR programme co-financed by the Participating States and from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.
Ratiometric green–red fluorescent nanosensors for fluorometrically monitoring pH in the acidic range were designed from 80 nm-sized polystyrene (PS) and silica (SiO2) nanoparticles (NPs), red emissive reference dyes, and a green emissive naphthalimide pH probe, analytically and spectroscopically characterized, and compared regarding their sensing performance in aqueous dispersion and in cellular uptake studies. Preparation of these optical probes, which are excitable by 405 nm laser or LED light sources, involved the encapsulation of the pH-inert red-fuorescent dye Nile Red (NR) in the core of self-made carboxylated PSNPs by a simple swelling procedure and the fabrication of rhodamine B (RhB)-stained SiO2-NPs from a silane derivative of pH-insensitive RhB. Subsequently, the custom-made naphthalimide pH probe, that utilizes a protonation-controlled photoinduced electron transfer process, was covalently attached to the carboxylic acid groups at the surface of both types of NPs. Fluorescence microscopy studies with the molecular and nanoscale optical probes and A549 lung cancer cells confirmed the cellular uptake of all probes and their penetration into acidic cell compartments, i.e., the lysosomes, indicated by the switching ON of the green naphthalimide fluorescence. This underlines their suitability for intracellular pH sensing, with the SiO2-based nanosensor revealing the best performance regarding uptake speed and stability.
Detailed knowledge about soil composition is an important prerequisite for many applications, for example precision agriculture. Current standard laboratory methods are complex and time-consuming but could be complemented by non-invasive optical techniques. Its capability to provide a molecular fingerprint of individual soil components makes Raman spectroscopy a very promising candidate. A major challenge is strong fluorescence interference inherent to soil, but this issue can be overcome effectively using shifted excitation Raman difference spectroscopy (SERDS). A customized dual-wavelength diode laser emitting at 785.2 and 784.6 nm was used to investigate 117 soil samples collected from an agricultural field along a distance of 624 m and down to depths of 1 m. To address soil spatial heterogeneity, a raster scan approach comprising 100 measurement spots per sample was applied. Based on the Raman spectroscopic fingerprint extracted from intense fluorescence interference by SERDS, 13 mineral soil constituents were identified, and even closely related molecular species could be discriminated, for example polymorphs of titanium dioxide and calcium carbonate. For the first time, the capability of SERDS is demonstrated to predict the calcium carbonate content as an important soil parameter using partial least squares regression (R2 = 0.94, root mean square error of cross-validation RMSECV = 2.1%). Our findings demonstrate that SERDS can extract a wealth of spectroscopic information from disturbing backgrounds enabling qualitative and quantitative soil analysis. This highlights the large potential of SERDS for precision agriculture but also in further application areas, for example geology, cultural heritage and planetary exploration.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) can contaminate plastic and rubber parts of consumer products including toys. PAH are present as impurities in some of the raw materials used for production of such articles, particularly in extender oils and in carbon black. Because PAH have negative effects on health (e.g. carcinogenic), standard methods have been developed in several countries to control PAH in consumer/toy products, mainly based on gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry (GC-MS).
To protect consumers from hazards of PAH, national regulations and maximum levels are already in force, for example in Germany. Recently, maximum levels for 8 PAH compounds (benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[j]fluoranthene, benzo[e]pyrene, benzo[a]pyrene and dibenz[a,h]anthracene) have been established by EC-regulation 1272/2013. This resulted in an urgent need for certified reference materials (CRM) to meet the requirements of the EC-regulation (1 mg/kg for each PAH compound in consumer products and 0.5 mg/kg in toys, respectively).
In 2016 BAM started a project to certify the PAH mass fractions in a toy CRM to fill the current gap of available reference materials. Several different toys from retailers were screened to obtain a real-life material representing PAH mass fractions in the range of the EC-maximum level. The finally selected material (rubber balls for children) was prepared and characterized with respect to homogeneity and stability of 18 PAH. The extension to other health-relevant PAH compounds, e.g. indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene and benzo[ghi]perylene, will increase the applicability of the CRM for costumers, e.g. from industry, conformity assessment bodies and private testing laboratories.
The poster will present the current status of the ongoing CRM project including preparation of the candidate material and results from homogeneity and stability studies. In addition, first results of a joint German-Chinese interlaboratory comparison study will be shown.
Here, we describe an optimized fast and simple extraction method for the determination of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) in soils utilizing high resolution-continuum source-graphite furnace molecular absorption spectrometry (HR–CS–GFMAS). To omit the bias of the solid phase extraction (SPE) step commonly used during the analysis of extractable organically bound fluorine (EOF) we optimized a fast and simple SPE-free extraction method. The developed extraction method consists of a liquid-solid extraction using acidified methanol without any additional SPE. Four extraction steps were representative to determine a high proportion of the EOF (>80% of eight extractions). Comparison of the optimized method with and without an additional SPE clean-up step revealed a drastic underestimation of EOF concentrations using SPE. Differences of up to 94% were observed which were not explainable by coextracted inorganic fluoride. Therefore, not only a more accurate but also a more economic as well as ecologic method (bypassing of unnecessary SPE) was developed. The procedural limit of quantification (LOQ) of the developed method was 10.30 μg/kg which was sufficient for quantifying EOF concentrations in all tested samples. For future PFAS monitoring and potential regulative decisions the herein presented optimized extraction method can offer a valuable contribution.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have received global public attention because of their wide distribution in aquatic environments and potential adverse effects to humans and wildlife. Due to the lack of analytical standards and the enormous numbers of these compounds, current target-based methods (e.g., LC-MS/MS) are not suitable for the analysis of new/unknown PFAS and transformation products. Therefore, PFAS sum parameter analysis is becoming increasingly important. For PFAS determination of surface waters, solid phase extraction (SPE) is commonly implemented for clean-up and pre-concentration of samples.
Thus, within this work, single-layer SPE methods (based on Strata™-X, Strata™-X-AW, Strata™-NH2 and Oasis-HLB) were investigated for maximum PFAS coverage utilizing extractable organically bound fluorine (EOF) analysis. Thereby, the optimization procedure relied on the analysis of 3 surface water samples in Berlin, Germany, which were affected by the effluent discharge of wastewater treatment plants. To analyse the SPE elution profiles for EOF and inorganic fluorine, high resolution-continuum source-graphite furnace molecular absorption spectroscopy (HR-CS-GFMAS) and ion chromatography (IC) were used, respectively.
Highest EOF concentrations were achieved by using Strata-X/Strata-XAW as SPE sorbents and methanol as eluent. Furthermore, combinations of the most promising SPE sorbents were selected (X/XAW, XAW/X, HLB/X and WAX/GCB) to extract a wider range of PFASs. By comparing multi-layer SPE methods, lower EOF concentrations were obtained for all investigated combination phases compared to the analysed single phases. For the commercially available combination phase Strata-PFAS (WAX/GCB) for all three river water samples, lower EOF concentrations (1.5 times lower) were determined compared to Strata-X.
The results have shown that single-layer SPE systems are currently superior compared to combination phases for PFAS sum parameter analysis. The multi-layer SPE methods need further optimization regarding appropriate sorbent combinations, loading volumes and elution conditions. The developed single-layer SPE methods can help to elucidate pollutions hotspots and discharge routes.
During the last two decades, studies related to the occurrence and fate of emerging contaminants in the aquatic environment have received great attention from the international scientific community. The monitoring of the presence of these compounds is particularly important since they are known to induce adverse effects in aquatic environments, even at extremely low concentrations. This work aimed to apply a simple and effective methodology, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), in the monitoring of 17a-ethinylestradiol (EE2) and 17b-estradiol (E2) (a synthetic and a natural hormone, respectively), carbamazepine (CBZ, an antiepileptic), cetirizine (CET, an antihistamine) and caffeine (CAF, a stimulant) in water matrices with differing salinity and organic matter contents. ELISA was proven to be a valid and practical tool, especially for screening purposes in contrast to traditional chromatographic techniques which are prohibitively expensive for an application on a broader base. The main originality of this work was to establish seasonal and spatial effects on the occurrence of the referred contaminants by using the effectiveness of ELISA to screen those compounds in samples with different characteristics.
This work reports both the seasonal and spatial quantification of the referred contaminants in the aquatic environment of the central region of Portugal, with concentrations ranging as follows: 5–87 ng L-1, for
E2, 2–17 ng L-1, for EE2, 10–1290 ng L-1, for CBZ, 10–190 ng L-1, for CET, and 62–6400 ng L-1, for CAF.
Phosphorus (P) recovery is obligatory for all sewage sludges with more than 20 g P/kg dry matter (DM) from 2029 in Germany. Nine wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were chosen to investigate variations of phosphorus contents and other parameters in sewage sludge over the year. Monthly sewage sludge samples from each WWTP were analyzed for phosphorus and other matrix elements (C, N, H, Ca, Fe, Al, etc.), for several trace elements (As, Cr, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sn) and loss of ignition. Among the nine WWTPs, there are four which have phosphorus contents both above and below the recovery limit of 20 g/kg DM along the year. Considering the average phosphorus content over the year, only one of them is below the limit. Compared to other matrix elements and parameters, phosphorus fuctuations are low with an average of 7% over all nine WWTPs. In total, only hydrogen and carbon are more constant in the sludge.
In several WWTPs with chemical phosphorus elimination, phosphorus fuctuations showed similar courses like iron and/or aluminum. WWTPs with chamber flter presses rather showed dilution efects of calcium dosage. As result of this study, monthly phosphorus measurement is highly recommended to determine whether a WWTP is below the
20 g/kg DM limit.
Outer membrane lipopolysaccharides (LPS) play a crucial role in determining attachment behavior and pathogenicity of bacteria. The aim of this study was to develop a simple procedure for anchoring bacterial lipopolysaccharides to polystyrene (PS) microparticles as a model system for in situ attachment studies. By using a swellcapture methodology, commercially available LPS of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (strain ATCC 27316 serotype 10.22) was anchored onto PS microparticles in a proof-of-concept study. A detailed chemical and morphological characterization has proven the success of LPS incorporation. It was shown that the coverage and structure of the LPS film was concentration dependent. The procedure can easily be adapted to LPS of other bacterial strains to generate a synthetic model toolkit for attachment studies.
Stormwater from urban areas can transport biocidally active substances and related transformation products from buildings into the environment. The occurrence of these substances in urban runoff depends on the availability of water, and on ultraviolet radiation exposure that causes photolytic reactions. In a systematic laboratory study, painted test specimens were exposed to either ultraviolet radiation, water contact, or a combination of both. Leaching of the biocidally active substances carbendazim, diuron, octylisothiazolinone, terbutryn, and selected transformation products of terbutryn and diuron were observed under various exposure conditions. Remaining concentrations of these substances in the paint were quantified. It was demonstrated that the distribution of active substances and transformation products in eluates and in the coatings themselves differs with exposure conditions. Strategies for environmental monitoring of biocide emissions need to consider the most relevant transformation products. However, environmental concentrations of biocidally active substances and transformation products depend on earlier exposure conditions. As a consequence, monitoring data cannot describe emission processes and predict expected leaching of biocidally active substances from buildings if the data are collected only occasionally.
Nebivolol (NEB), a β-blocker frequently used to treat cardiovascular diseases, has been widely detected in aquatic environments, and can be degraded under exposure to UV radiation, leading to the formation of certain transformation products (UV-TPs). Thus, the toxic effects of NEB and its UV-TPs on aquatic organisms are of great importance for aquatic ecosystems. In the present study, the degradation pathway of NEB under UV radiation was investigated. Subsequently, zebrafish embryos/larvae were used to assess the median lethal concentration (LC50) of NEB, and to clarify the sub-lethal effects of NEB and its UV-TPs for the first time. It was found that UV radiation could reduce the toxic effects of NEB on the early development of zebrafish. Transcriptomic analysis identified the top 20 enriched Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways in zebrafish larvae exposed to NEB, most of which were associated with the antioxidant, nervous, and immune systems. The number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the pathways were reduced after UV radiation. Furthermore, the analysis of protein biomarkers, including CAT and GST (antioxidant response), AChE and ACh (neurotoxicity), CRP and LYS (immune response), revealed that NEB exposure reduced the activity of these biomarkers, whereas UV radiation could alleviate the effects. The present study provides initial insights into the mechanisms underlying toxic effects of NEB and the detoxification effects of UV radiation on the early development of zebrafish. It highlights the necessity of considering the toxicity of UV-TPs when evaluating the toxicity of emerging pollutants in aquatic systems.
In Coastal Systems, pollutants as pharmaceutical drugs exert changes from the molecular to the organism level in marine bivalves. Besides pollutants, Coastal Systems are prone to changes in environmental Parameters, as the alteration of salinity values because of Climate Change. Together, these Stressors (pharmaceutical drugs and salinity changes) can exert different threats than each Stressor acting individually; for example, salinity can change the physical-chemical properties of the drugs and/or the sensitivity of the organisms to them. However, limited Information is available on this subject, with variable results, and for this reason, this study aimed to evaluate the impacts of salinity changes (15,25 and 35) on the effects of the antiepileptic carbamazepine (CBZ, 1 (ig/L) and the antihistamine cetirizine (CTZ, 0.6 pg/L), when acting individually and combined (CBZ + CTZ), in the edible clam Ruditapes philippinarum. After 28 days ofexposure, drugs concentrations, bioconcentration factors and biochemical parameters, related to clam's metabolic caparity and oxidative stress were evaluated. The results showed that dams under low salinity suffered more changes in metabolic, antioxidant and biotransformation activities, in comparison with the remaining salinities under study. However, limited impacts were observed when comparing drug effects at low salinity. Indeed, it seemed that CTZ and CBZ + CTZ, under high salinity (salinity 35) were the worst exposure conditions for the dams, since they caused higher leveis of cellular damage. It Stands out that salinity changes altered the impact of pharmaceutical drugs on marine bivalves.
Portable, antikörperbasierte Analysenverfahren für die Schadstofferfassung im Wasserkreislauf
(2021)
Die Wasseranalytik wird bestimmt von zwei Hauptbedarfen, einerseits der Erfassung der Gewässergüte und Grundwassergüte als Basis für die Bereitstellung einwandfreien Trinkwassers und zum anderen des Monitorings der Wasserqualität in den Prozessen der Wasseraufbereitung und der Abwasserreinigung. Für beide Anwendungsbereiche ist eine laborbasierte Analytik eher hinderlich, werden die Analysenergebnisse doch eigentlich vor Ort benötigt, um etwa Beprobungskampagnen rasch anpassen zu können. Des Weiteren werden die Daten auch schnell benötigt, um zeitnah in die technischen Prozesse einzugreifen. Organische Kontaminanten werden meist über chromatographische Verfahren, häufig gekoppelt mit einer massenspektrometrischen Detektion, in instrumentellen Labormethoden erfasst, und die hochauflösende Massenspektrometrie und die Non-target-Analytik haben viel zum Wissen über das Vorkommen, insbesondere von sogenannten „Emerging Contaminants“, beigetragen, sowie zum Verständnis der beteiligten Eintragspfade und Abbauwege. Moderne, portable Analysenmethoden und insbesondere Sensoren werden zukünftig aber ihren Platz in der Schadstofferfassung im Wasserkreislauf einnehmen. Dies gilt insbesondere für antikörperbasierte Analysenverfahren, da erst diese oft die nötige Selektivität und Sensitivität in die Detektionsmethoden einbringen.
Portable, antikörperbasierte Analysenverfahren für die Schadstofferfassung im Wasserkreislauf
(2021)
Die Wasseranalytik wird bestimmt von zwei Hauptbedarfen, einerseits der Erfassung der Gewässergüte und Grundwassergüte als Basis für die Bereitstellung einwandfrei-en Trinkwassers und zum anderen des Monitorings der Wasserqualität in den Prozes-sen der Wasseraufbereitung und der Abwasserreinigung. Für beide Anwendungsbe-reiche ist eine laborbasierte Analytik eher hinderlich, werden die Analysenergebnisse doch eigentlich vor Ort benötigt, um etwa Beprobungskampagnen rasch anpassen zu können. Desweiteren werden die Daten auch schnell benötigt, um zeitnah in die technischen Prozesse einzugreifen. Organische Kontaminanten werden meist über chromatographische Verfahren, häufig gekoppelt mit einer massenspektrometrischen Detektion, in instrumentelle Labormethoden erfasst und die hochauflösende Massen-spektrometrie und die Non-target-Analytik haben viel zum Wissen über das Vorkom-men, insbesondere von sog. „emerging contaminants“, beigetragen, sowie zum Ver-ständnis der beteiligten Eintragspfade und Abbauwege. Moderne, portable Analy-senmethoden und insbesondere Sensoren werden zukünftig aber ihren Platz in der Schadstofferfassung im Wasserkreislauf einnehmen. Dies gilt insbesondere für anti-körperbasierte Analysenverfahren, da erst diese oft die nötige Selektivität und Sensitivität in die Detektionsmethoden einbringen.
A vast number of emerging pollutants has been detected in the environment over the last decades. Analytical methods suitable for trace analysis are needed that are desirably also fast, inexpensive and, if possible, robust and portable. Immunoanalytical, i.e. antibody-based, methods which are available in a broad range of formats, can be profitably used here to analyse for the distribution and the trends of concentration levels of contaminants in the environment. Some of these formats are single-analyte but high-throughput methods. In order to use them wisely, indicator substances, sometimes called anthropogenic markers, should be selected and used in screening approaches. Other methods are suitable to be performed on portable instrumentation in the field (on-site) or in facilities such as wastewater treatment plants for on-line monitoring. Furthermore, there are array technologies that allow for parallel (multiplex) analysis of several analytes of interest.
The microtiter-plate based ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay) is the method of choice for the analysis of a large number of samples [1]. ELISAs are available to monitor for anthropogenic markers such as the antiepileptic carbamazepine, the analgesic diclofenac, the antihistaminic cetirizine, the steroid hormone estrone, the antimicrobial sulfamethoxazole, the stimulants caffeine and cocaine, the priority pollutant bisphenol A, and the bile acid isolithocholic acid. For on-site screening and monitoring, simpler formats, like mix-and-read assays, e.g. the Fluorescence Polarization Immunoassay (FPIA) [2] or Lateral-flow Immunoassays (LFIA) [3] are more suitable tools, the latter based on dipsticks or cassettes, that is why they are also called pregnancy test-like assays. The suitability of multi-analyte formats such as immunomicroarrays depends on the choice of a signal-producing system that provides small uncertainties and good reproducibility of the measurements. Bead-based (“suspension”) arrays read out in flow cytometers are a powerful platform for multiplex assays [4]. Electrochemical formats run on portable devices provide additional advantages as no light source is required. They are most promising for stand-alone analysers and biosensors
A vast number of emerging pollutants is being detected in the environment. Another lingering problem are health-threatening contaminants, such as mycotoxins, that deteriorate food and feed.
Analytical methods, suitable for trace analysis, are needed that are desirably also fast, inexpensive and, if possible, robust, and portable. Immunoanalytical, i.e., anti-body-based technologies, which are available in a broad range of formats, can be profitably used here to analyze for the distribution and the concentration trends of contaminants.
Some of these formats are single-analyte but high-throughput methods. To use them wisely, indicator substances or sum parameters must be established to be used in screening approaches. Other methods are suitable to be performed on portable in-strumentation in the field (on-site), more precisely at the point-of-need. Furthermore, there are array technologies that allow for parallel analysis of several analytes of interest (multiplexing). The talk reports on methods and data for compounds con-sidered as anthropogenic contamination markers (the antiepileptic carbamazepine, the analgesic diclofenac, the anti-histaminic cetirizine, the steroid hormone estrone, the antimicrobial amoxicillin, the stimulants caffeine and cocaine, the endocrine disruptor bisphenol A, and a bile acid). Some work on mycotoxins (ochratoxin A and ergot alkaloids) is also presented. It is demonstrated that antibody-based technolo-gies have a huge potential to gain analytical insights at the point-of-need.
Antibody-based analytical techniques have gained increasing importance in environmental analysis. Rapid assays, portable devices and formats that require a limited number of steps have a high potential for on-site analysis in outdoor environments or in environmentally relevant facilities such as wastewater treatment plants. Many of these methods have become more sensitive and more versatile due to new, advanced materials, such as novel particles, specifically prepared surfaces, new labels, specifically coated electrodes etc. The talk shows some of our works in this context.
A vast number of emerging pollutants is being detected in the environment. Another lingering problem are health-threatening contaminants, such as mycotoxins, that deteriorate food and feed.
Analytical methods, suitable for trace analysis, are needed that are desirably also fast, inexpensive and, if possible, robust, and portable. Immunoanalytical, i.e., antibody-based methods, which are available in a broad range of formats, can be profitably used here to analyze for the distribution and the concen-tration trends of contaminants.
Some of these formats are single-analyte but high-throughput methods. To use them wisely, indicator substances or sum parameters are being established and used in screening approaches. Other methods are suitable to be performed on portable instrumentation in the field (on-site), more precisely at the point-of-need. Furthermore, there are array technologies that allow for parallel analysis of several analytes of interest (multiplexing).
The talk reports on methods and data for compounds considered as anthropogenic contamination markers (the antiepileptic carbamazepine, the analgesic diclofenac, the anti-histaminic cetirizine, the steroid hormone estrone, the antimicrobial amoxicillin, the stimulants caffeine and cocaine, the endo-crine disruptor bisphenol A, and a bile acid). Some work on mycotoxins (ochratoxin A and ergot alka-loids) is also presented. It is demonstrated that antibody-based approaches have a huge potential to gain analytical insights at the point-of-need.
A vast number of emerging pollutants is being detected in the environment. Another lingering problem are health-threatening contaminants, such as mycotoxins, that deteriorate food and feed, and the pathogens themselves. Analytical methods, suitable for trace analysis, are needed that are desirably also fast, inexpensive and, if possible, robust and portable. It is set out, how immunoana-lytical, i.e., antibody-based methods, which are elaborated in a broad range of formats, can be profitably used to gain insights on the distribution and concentration trends of the target analytes at the point-of-need.
Immunoanalytical Techniques, i.e., antibody-based analytical methods, have been used for decades in clinical diagnostics. What makes them attractive for other fields of application is their short time-to-result and high sensitivity. Microplate-based assays such as ELISA have been adopted early in environmental and food analysis. Yet, to make immunoassays even faster, more sensitive, robust, and, most desirable, portable, advanced materials, sometimes developed for other purposes, can be profitably used to achieve these goals. Materials can be novel labels, e.g., chemical or particle labels, such as fluorophores or nanoparticles. Carrier particles, such as magnetic or polymer beads, make it possible to adopt the assays to meso- or microfluidic set-ups and encoding them opens the path to multiplex analysis. Specialty electrodes can enable for higher sensitivity in electrochemical detection. All this broadens the scope of application and lowers effort and cost for analysis at the point-of-need.
In urban waters, a multitude of organic micropollutants, often termed emerging pollutants, has been found over the last decades. Analytical methods suitable for trace analysis are needed that are desirably also fast, inexpensive and, if possible, robust and portable. Immunoanalytical, i.e., antibody-based, methods which are available in a broad range of formats, can be profitably used here to screen for the distribution and to monitor the trends of concentration levels of contaminants of emerging concern in the environment. Some of these formats are single-analyte but high-throughput methods. To use them wisely, indicator substances, sometimes called anthropogenic markers, should be selected and used in screening approaches, i.e., as indicators for contamination and the pre-selection of samples at which to have a closer look by multiplex methods like LC-MS/MS. Other methods are suitable to be performed on portable instrumentation in the field (on-site) or in facilities such as wastewater treatment plants for on-line monitoring of the treatment and elimination process. Furthermore, array technologies have been established that allow for parallel (multiplex) analysis of several analytes of interest.
The microtiter-plate based ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay) is the method of choice for the analysis of a large number of samples [1]. ELISAs are available to monitor for anthropogenic markers such as the antiepileptic carbamazepine, the analgesic diclofenac, the antihistaminic cetirizine, the steroid hormone estrone, the antimicrobial sulfamethoxazole, psychoactive caffeine and cocaine, the priority pollutant bisphenol A, and the bile acid isolithocholic acid. For on-site screening and monitoring, simpler formats, like mix-and-read assays, e.g., the Fluorescence Polarization Immunoassay (FPIA) [2] or Lateral-flow Immunoassays (LFIA) [3] are more suitable tools, the latter based on dipsticks or little cassettes, with which users have become very familiar during the COVID-19 pandemic via rapid antigen tests. The suitability of multi-analyte formats such as immunomicroarrays depends on the choice of a signal-producing system that provides small uncertainties and good reproducibility of the measurements. Bead-based (“suspension”) arrays, read out in flow cytometers, are a powerful platform for multiplex assays [4]. Electrochemical formats, run on portable devices, provide additional advantages as no light source is required. They are most promising for stand-alone analysers and biosensors [5].
The speed, low cost and on-site capabilities of these methods allow to gather a lot more data on anthropogenic compounds which enables to quantify inputs, differences in degradation power of elimination processes, dilution phenomena and a more precise image of individual water cycles which is demonstrated by several examples.
Analytical methods based on the selectivity of antibodies, often called immunoassays, are a back-bone of clinical laboratory diagnostics. To bring them to the field, i.e., to make immunoanalytical methods portable, hopefully even faster, more sensitive, and robust, advanced materials are re-quired. Materials can be novel labels, e.g., chemical or particle labels, such as fluorophores or na-noparticles. Carrier particles, such as magnetic or polymer beads, make it possible to adopt the as-says to meso- or microfluidic set-ups and encoding them opens the path to multiplex analysis. Spe-cialty electrodes can enable for higher sensitivity in electrochemical detection. Without research into better materials, efforts to bring analysis to the point-of-need will not bear fruit.
Vortrag zum Kick-off des Projektes.
Ziel des Projektes ist es, die Eignung der Bestimmung eines oder mehrerer der genannten anthropogenen Marker im Abwasser zur Volumenkorrektur („Kalibration“) im SARS-CoV-2-Monitoring von Abwässern auf der Basis eines von der BAM zu erhebenden Messdatensatzes zu evaluieren.
ESI-CorA ist ein nationales Verbundprojekt mit dem Ziel des Nachweises von SARS-CoV-2 im Abwasser.
Das UBA hat als Teilprojekt das Projekt MARKERIA (VH1802) an die BAM vergeben.
Ziel des Projektes ist es, die Eignung der Bestimmung eines oder mehrerer der genannten anthropogenen Marker im Abwasser zur Volumenkorrektur („Kalibration“) im SARS-CoV-2-Monitoring von Abwässern auf der Basis eines von der BAM zu erhebenden Messdatensatzes zu evaluieren.
1. Projektreffen mit dem Umweltbundesamt für das Projekt MARKERIA (VH1802).
Ziel des Projektes ist es, die Eignung der Bestimmung eines oder mehrerer der genannten anthropogenen Marker im Abwasser zur Volumenkorrektur („Kalibration“) im SARS-CoV-2-Monitoring von Abwässern auf der Basis eines von der BAM zu erhebenden Messdatensatzes zu evaluieren.
2. Projekttreffen mit dem Umweltbundesamt zum Projekt MARKERIA (VH1802).
Ziel des Projektes ist es, die Eignung der Bestimmung eines oder mehrerer der genannten anthropogenen Marker im Abwasser zur Volumenkorrektur („Kalibration“) im SARS-CoV-2-Monitoring von Abwässern auf der Basis eines von der BAM zu erhebenden Messdatensatzes zu evaluieren.
The talk introduces the technique of LC-ELISA: fractionating pre-concentrated water samples, analyzing them for containing compounds that bind to hapten-selective antibodies followed by high-Resolution mass spectrometry non-target analysis of "positive" fractions for Transformation products of emerging organic contaminants.
A vast number of emerging pollutants has been detected in the environment over the last decades. Analytical methods suitable for trace analysis are needed that are desirably also fast, inexpensive and, if possible, robust and portable. Immunoanalytical methods which are available in a broad range of formats, can be profitably used here to analyze for the distribution and the trends of concentration levels of contaminants in the environment. Some of these formats are single-analyte but high-throughput methods. In order to use them wisely, indicator substances, sometimes called anthropogenic markers, should be selected and used in screening approaches. Other methods are suitable to be performed on portable instrumentation in the field (on-site) or in facilities such as wastewater treatment plants for on-line monitoring. Furthermore, there are the socalled array technologies that allow for parallel analysis of several analytes of interest (multiplexing). The microtiter-plate based ELISA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay) is the method of choice for the analysis of a large number of samples [1]. ELISA screening data for anthropogenic markers such as the antiepileptic carbamazepine, the analgesic diclofenac, the anti-histaminic cetirizine, the steroid hormone estrone, the antimicrobial sulfamethoxazole, the stimulants caffeine and cocaine, the priority pollutant bisphenol A, and the bile acid isolithocholic acid [2] are presented. For on-site screening and monitoring, simpler formats, like mix-and-read assays, e.g. the Fluorescence Polarization Immunoassay (FPIA) or Lateral-flow Immunoassays (LFIA) are more suitable tools. Electrochemical formats run on portable devices provide additional advantages as no light source is required. Some examples are presented and discussed. The suitability of multi-analyte formats such as immunomicroarrays depends on the choice of a signal-producing system that provides small uncertainties and good reproducibility of the measurements. Biochip (“flat”) arrays read out on slide scanners and bead-based (“suspension”) arrays read out in flow cytometers are two options and show their distinct pros and cons. Altogether these approaches show the great potential immunoanalytical methods provide for the screening for environmental contaminants in the aquatic environment.
Der Vortrag beschreibt den Stand der Arbeiten an der BAM, Fachbereich Umweltanalytik zur Entwicklung von Sensoren für die Wasseranalytik. Er stellt die bisherigen Arbeiten da, die ausgehend von ELISAs, zunehmend portable Plattformen wie FPIA und LFIA umfassen. Beas-based Formate werden von mikrotiterplatten-basierten Techniken auf mikrofluidische Lab-on-Chip-Systeme übertragen, die bei geeigneter Miniaturisierung und Automatisierung als Sensorsysteme angesehen werden können. Der Vortrag endet mit einem Blick auf ein laufendes Monitoring-Projekt von anthropogenen Markern in Abwasser und charakterisiert die Treiber, die die Entwicklung von Sensoren für die Wasseranalytik in den letzten Jahren vorantreiben.
Im Vorhaben „MARKERIA - Bestimmung von anthropogenen Markerkonzentrationen für die SARS-CoV-2 Quantifizierung mittels eines Hochdurchsatzverfahrens (ELISA)“ geht es um die Bestimmung von Carbamazepin, Diclofenac, Koffein und einer endogenen Gallensäure als potentielle Marker für die Kalibrierung der SARS-CoV-2 Quantifizierung im Abwasser. Der Vortrag wurde gehalten im Rahmen der 22. Sitzung des Begleitkreises des übergeordneten Projektes ESI-CorA. Er gab den Projektstand wieder, den die BAM bis dahin erzielt hatte. Die Marker waren in sämtlichen untersuchten Abwasser-Zulaufproben enthalten und zeigten spezifische Trends. Weitere Korrelationen müsse die weitergehende Datenauswertung ergeben.A
A frequently studied environmental contaminant is the active substance diclofenac, which is removed insufficiently in sewage treatment plants. Since its inclusion in the watch list of the EU Water Framework Directive, the concentrations in surface waters will be determined throughout Europe. For this, still, more precise analytical methods are needed. As a reference, HPLC-MS is frequently employed. One of the major metabolites is 4’-hydroxydiclofenac (4’-OH-DCF). Also, diclofenac lactam is important for assessing degradation and transformation. Aceclofenac (ACF), the glycolic acid ester of diclofenac is used as a drug, too, and could potentially be cleaved to yield diclofenac again. In various sewage treatment plant influent samples, diclofenac, 4’-OH-DCF, DCF lactam and ACF could be determined with detection limits of 3 µg/L, 0.2 µg/L, 0.17 µg/L and 10 ng/L, respectively.
Diclofenac (DCF) is a widely used drug against fever, inflammation, pain, and rheumatic diseases. An average of 70 % of the ingested diclofenac is excreted in the urine. Thus, 63 tons per year are introduced into the water cycle in Germany. Due to insufficient removal of diclofenac in wastewater treatment plants, residues of diclofenac can be found in surface water and sometimes in drinking water. In order to establish an immunoassay, an anti-DCF antibody was required. Some antibody developments have been reported, based on an immunogen resulting from direct coupling of diclofenac to proteins via the carboxylic function. Finally, we used a monoclonal antibody, clone F01G21.
Aim: To observe the variation in accumulation of Fusarium and Alternaria mycotoxins across a topographically heterogeneous field and tested biotic (fungal and bacterial abundance) and abiotic (microclimate) parameters as explanatory variables.
Methods and Results: We selected a wheat field characterized by a diversified topography, to be responsible for variations in productivity and in canopy-driven microclimate. Fusarium and Alternaria mycotoxins where quantified in wheat ears at three sampling dates between flowering and harvest at 40 points.
Tenuazonic acid (TeA), alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), tentoxin (TEN), deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN) and deoxynivalenol-3-Glucoside (DON.3G) were quantified. In canopy temperature, air and soil humidity were recorded for each point with data-loggers. Fusarium spp. as trichothecene producers, Alternaria spp. and fungal abundances were assessed using qPCR. Pseudomonas fluorescens bacteria were quantified with a culture based method. We only found DON, DON.3G, TeA and TEN to be ubiquitous across the whole field, while AME, AOH and ZEN were only occasionally detected. Fusarium was more abundant in spots with high soil humidity, while Alternaria in warmer and drier spots. Mycotoxins correlated differently to the observed explanatory variables: positive correlations between DON accumulation, tri 5 gene and Fusarium abundance were clearly detected.
The correlations among the others observed variables, such as microclimatic conditions, varied among the sampling dates. The results of statistical model identification do not exclude that species coexistence could influence mycotoxin production.
Conclusions: Fusarium and Alternaria mycotoxins accumulation varies heavily across the field and the sampling dates, providing the realism of landscapescale studies. Mycotoxin concentrations appear to be partially explained by biotic and abiotic variables.
Significance and Impact of the Study: We provide a useful experimental design and useful data for understanding the dynamics of mycotoxin biosynthesis in wheat.
Organotin compounds (OTCs) have been widely used in anti-fouling paints, pesticide formulations, and as stabilizers in polyvinyl chloride over the past century. In marine ecosystems, OTCs can cause severe damage to biodiversity, leading up to the extinction of vulnerable species. Due to the extensive use of tributyltin (TBT) as a biocide on ship hulls, it has been considered one of the most hazardous substances intentionally introduced into the aquatic environment. This resulted in a global ban on TBT-containing products in the 2000s. However, recent studies indicate the emerging presence of organotin pollutants.
OTCs are known to persist and accumulate in marine sediments, posing a long-term threat to the environment. These harmful substances can be set free and dispersed even after several decades. Therefore, analyzing sediment probes is imperative for a thorough monitoring of pollution. However, species-specific analysis of OTCs at required concentration levels in complex environmental matrices remains challenging. Chromatographic systems are commonly used for their analysis, but the required sample preparation is time-consuming and prone to contamination and analyte loss. The coupling of electrothermal vaporization and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ETV/ICP-MS) demonstrates high potential as a rapid, convenient, and chemical-saving scanning tool for environmental samples.
This method enables the direct on-line fractionation of organic compounds from an inorganic fraction and provides element-specific detection at ultra-trace levels without complex sample preparation. Since OTCs are generally more toxic than ionic or elemental tin, analyzing them as a sum parameter is advantageous. Additionally, the determination of both organic and inorganic tin, rather than just organic tin, reveals valuable information about the fate of OTCs. The main challenge in obtaining accurate quantitative data using direct solid sampling techniques like as ETV/ICP-MS is applying a suitable calibration strategy. Our isotope dilution approach overcomes matrix effects in ETV/ICP-MS analysis and is compatible with commercial systems.
In this work we report a novel paper-based analytical device read-out via LED-induced fluorescence detection (FPAD) for the quantification of the emerging pollutant ethinylestradiol (EE2) in river water samples. The PAD was used as a reaction platform for a competitive enzyme immunoassay. For the PAD development, microzones of filter paper, printed by a wax printing method, were modified with amino-functionalized SBA-15 and subsequently, anti-EE2 specific antibodies were covalently immobilized. The determination of EE2 in water was
carried out by adding a fixed concentration of EE2 conjugated with the enzyme horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to samples and standards. Then, the FPAD were added and incubated for 10 min. Finally, the detection was performed by the reaction of 10-acetyl-3,7-dihydroxyphenoxazine (ADHP) whose oxidation is catalyzed by HRP in the presence of H2O2, obtaining the highly fluorescent resorufin (R). Resorufin was detected by LED excitation at 550 nm, observing emission at 585 nm. The EE2 concentration in the samples was inversely proportional to the relative fluorescence obtained from the enzymatic reaction products. The FPAD assay showed a detection Limit (LOD) of 0.05 ng L−1 and coefficients of variation (CV) below 4.5% within-assay and below 6.5% between-assay, respectively. The results obtained show the potential suitability of our FPAD for the selective and sensitive quantification of EE2 in river water samples. In addition, it has the PADs advantages of being disposable, easy to
apply and inexpensive.
In this work, we report an electrochemical immunosensor to detect ethinylestradiol in water samples, using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) as a detection technique. For the development of this immunosensor, the direct modification of the working electrode of a screen-printed carbon electrode was carried out. First, to reduce the resistance of the electrode, electroreduced graphene was incorporated on the surface.
Second, a porous gold structure was electrodeposited on reduced graphene by electrodeposition and the dynamic hydrogen bubble template assisted method. Thus, a marked increase in surface area was obtained for anti-EE2 antibodies immobilization. Subsequently, the specific anti-EE2 antibodies were covalently immobilized using α-lipoic acid for attaching them to the gold surface.
The electrode modified with the antibodies was incubated for 30 min in the samples containing EE2, producing the specific Antigen antibody binding. As the charge transfer resistance of a redox probe in the electrode surface is governed by the surface blocking effects, the charge transfer resistance was related to the amount of EE2 captured to realize a quantitative determination. For this, the EIS measurements were performed in a 4 mM [Fe(CN)6]4−/3− solution in 0.1 M KCl. The obtained Nyquist diagrams were adjusted using the Randles circuit as an equivalent circuit to obtain the corresponding resistances. The developed methodology showed good selectivity, precision, and sensitivity; although the LOD obtained was higher than those presented in other published articles, it turned out to be an alternative that allows the determination of ethinylestradiol using a simple disposable electrode.
We report a novel and innovative electrochemical paper-based immunocapture assay (EPIA) to address the need for ultrasensitive detection of emerging pollutants without regulatory status and whose effects on environment and human health are not completely yet understood. In particular, we present the application of this system toward highly sensitive detection of the emerging pollutant ethinyl estradiol (EE2). The EPIA approach is based on the use of paper microzones modified with silica nanoparticles (SNs) and anti-EE2 specific antibodies for capture and preconcentration of EE2 from river water samples. After the preconcentration procedure, the paper microzones are placed onto a screen-printed carbon electrode modified with electrochemically reduced graphene (RG). The bound EE2 is subsequently desorbed adding a diluted solution of sulfuric acid on the paper microzones. Finally, recovered EE2 is electrochemically detected by OSWV. The proposed novel methodology showed an appropriate LOD and linear range for the quantification of EE2 for water samples with different origins. The nonsophisticated equipment required, the adequate recovery values obtained (from 97% to 104%, with a RSD less than 4.9%), and the appropriate LOD and linear range value (0.1 ng L−1 and 0.5−120 ng L−1, respectively) achieved by our immunocapture sensor present significant analytical figures of merit, particularly when the routine quantification of EE2 is considered. In addition, our System was based on electrochemical paper-based technology, which allows obtainment of portable, easy-to-use, inexpensive, and disposable devices. The EPIA can also serve as a general-purpose immunoassay platform applicable to quantitation of other drugs and emerging pollutants in environmental samples.
The development of a test to evaluate the degradation of semi-volatile fuels as diesel by microorganisms is presented. This method is based on the principles described in the CEC-L-103 Standard procedure that is exclusively meant for testing the biodegradability of non-volatile lubricants. Therefore, significant modifications involve aseptic conditions for testing specific microorganisms and conducting the test in closed vessels avoiding evaporation losses, while fuel quantification using gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) is retained. It is suggested that the modified procedure should enable routine application for semi-volatile hydrocarbon-based fuels. GC-FID provides additionally valuable information on the alteration of fuel component patterns during biodegradation. The procedure was successfully tested using two bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Sphingomonas sp.) and two yeasts (Moesziomyces sp. and Candida sp.) isolated from real diesel contamination cases. All tested microorganisms caused a significant degradation of diesel fuel achieving hydrocarbon degradation percentages ranging from 23% to 35%. Specific aspects on the test modification and prospects for further modification regarding targeted investigations in the field of fuel contamination by microorganisms are briefly discussed.
Photon upconversion nanomaterials have a wide range of applications, including biosensing and deep-tissue imaging. Their typically very weak and narrow absorption bands together with their size dependent luminescence efficiency can limit their application potential. This has been addressed by increasingly sophisticated core-shell particle architectures including the sensitization with organic dyes that strongly absorb in the near infrared (NIR). In this work, we present a simple water-dispersible micellar system that features energy transfer from the novel NIR excitable dye, 1859 SL with a high molar absorption coefficient and a moderate fluorescence quantum yield to oleate-capped NaYF4:20%Yb(III), 2%Er(III) upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP) upon 808 nm excitation. The micelles were formed using the surfactants Pluronic F-127 and Tween 80 to produce a hydrophilic dye-UCNP system. Successful energy transfer from the dye to the UCNP could be confirmed by emission measurements that revealed the occurrence of upconversion emission upon excitation at 808 nm and an enhancement of the green Er(III) emission compared to direct Er(III) excitation at 808 nm.
The quantification of the elemental content in soils with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is challenging because of matrix effects strongly influencing the plasma formation and LIBS signal. Furthermore, soil heterogeneity at the micrometre scale can affect the accuracy of analytical results. In this paper, the impact of univariate and multivariate data evaluation approaches on the quantification of nutrients in soil is discussed. Exemplarily, results for calcium are shown, which reflect trends also observed for other elements like magnesium, silicon and iron. For the calibration models, 16 certified reference soils were used. With univariate and multivariate approaches, the calcium mass fractions in 60 soils from different testing grounds in Germany were calculated. The latter approach consisted of a principal component analysis (PCA) of adequately pre-treated data for classification and identification of outliers, followed by partial least squares regression (PLSR) for quantification. For validation, the soils were also characterised with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP OES) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis. Deviations between the LIBS quantification results and the reference analytical results are discussed.
Neuartige Materialien, die bekannte (Werk-)Stoffe mit neuen Funktionalitäten ausstatten, spielen eine zunehmend wichtige Rolle im Bereich der Materialforschung und -prüfung. Das Spektrum neuartiger Materialien reicht von der gezielten Oberflächenfunktionalisierung und -strukturierung makroskopischer Materialien, dünnen Beschichtungen bis hin zu mikro- und nanoskaligen Kompositmaterialien und funktionalen Materialien an der Schnittstelle zur Biologie, Biotechnologie, nachhaltige Energiespeicherung und Sensorik. Dabei bieten neuartige Materialien die Chance, Werkstoffe und Produkte mit erweiterter oder verbesserter Funktionalität zu erhalten und Sicherheit bereits im Designprozess zu berücksichtigen. Durch dieses breite Anwendungsspektrum und die Herausforderungen, die solche Materialien für die Sicherheit in Chemie und Technik mit sich bringen, sind diese in allen Themenfeldern der BAM repräsentiert (Material, Analytical Sciences, Energie, Infrastruktur und Umwelt).
Die Aufgaben der BAM erstrecken sich dabei von der Herstellung von Referenzmaterialien für Industrie, Forschung und Regulation, über die Erstellung von standardisierten Referenzverfahren für nachhaltige Messungen im Umwelt- und Lebenswissenschaftsbereich bis hin zur Bereitstellung von belastbaren und zitierbaren Referenzdaten. Durch die genaue Charakterisierung neuartiger Materialien können potentiell problematische Substanzen identifiziert und deren Risiken besser abgeschätzt werden. In diesem Beitrag werden einige aktuelle Beispiele aus diesen Bereichen vorgestellt.
In particular, the rapid development of lateral flow assays as indispensable tools for everyone to contain the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has fuelled the global demand for analytical tests that can be used outside dedicated laboratories. In addition to their use in medical diagnostics, rapid tests and assays have become increasingly important in various fields such as food safety, security, forensics, and environmental management. The advantage is obvious: taking the assay directly to the sample minimizes the time between suspicion and decision-making, allowing faster action. Especially today, when mobile communication devices with powerful computing capabilities and built-in cameras are ubiquitous, more people than ever before around the world have the basic skills to operate a powerful detector at their fingertips. This sets the stage for a much wider use of analytical measurements in terms of prognosis and prevention, enabling professional laypersons in particular.
However, current strip-based systems are primarily focused on single parameter analysis, whether it is SARS-CoV-2 biomarkers, blood glucose levels, or lead concentrations in water samples. Industrial applications of such methods also often still rely on single-parameter assays, requiring multiple runs even for a limited number of key parameters. Overcoming these limitations depends on developing low-number multiplexing strategies that ensure robustness, reliability, speed, ease of use, and sensitivity.
This lecture will give an overview of several generic approaches developed in recent years to address these challenges. It will highlight how the synergy of supramolecular (bio)chemistry, luminescence detection, hybrid (nano)materials and device miniaturization can result in powerful (bio)analytical assays that can be used at a point-of-need.1-5 Selected examples will introduce key aspects of such systems that include tailored signaling mechanisms and recognition elements, materials functionalization and device integration, including hybrid nanomaterials, gated indicator release systems, strip modification, and smartphone-based analysis.
Aldehyde moieties on 2D-supports or microand nanoparticles can function as anchor groups for the attachment of biomolecules or as reversible binding sites for proteins on cell surfaces. The use of aldehyde-based materials in bioanalytical and medical settings calls for reliable methods to detect and quantify this functionality. We report here on a versatile concept to quantify the accessible aldehyde moieties on particle surfaces through the specific binding and subsequent release of small reporter molecules such as fluorescent dyes and nonfluorescent chromophores utilizing acylhydrazone formation as a reversible covalent labeling strategy. This is representatively demonstrated for a set of polymer microparticles with different aldehyde labeling densities. Excess reporter molecules can be easily removed by washing, eliminating inaccuracies caused by unspecific adsorption to hydrophobic surfaces. Cleavage of hydrazones at acidic pH assisted by a carbonyl trap releases the fluorescent reporters rapidly and quasi-quantitatively and allows for their fluorometric detection at low concentration. Importantly, this strategy separates the signal-generating molecules from the bead surface. This circumvents common issues associated with light scattering and signal distortions that are caused by binding-induced changes in reporter fluorescence as well as quenching dye−
dye interactions on crowded particle surfaces. In addition, we demonstrate that the release of a nonfluorescent chromophore via disulfide cleavage and subsequent quantification by absorption spectroscopy gives comparable results, verifying that both assays
are capable of rapid and sensitive quantification of aldehydes on microbead surfaces. These strategies enable a quantitative
comparison of bead batches with different functionalization densities, and a qualitative prediction of their coupling efficiencies in bioconjugations, as demonstrated in reductive amination reactions with Streptavidin.
For the first time, µ-X-ray fluorescence (µ-XRF) mapping combined with fluorine K-edge µ-X-ray absorption near-edge structure (µ-XANES) spectroscopy was applied to depict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination and inorganic fluoride in samples concentrations down to 100 µg/kg fluoride. To demonstrate the matrix tolerance of the method, several PFAS contaminated soil and sludge samples as well as selected consumer product samples (textiles, food contact paper and permanent baking sheet) were investigated. µ-XRF mapping allows for a unique element-specific visualisation at the sample surface and enables localisation of fluorine containing compounds to a depth of 1 µm. Manually selected fluorine rich spots were subsequently analysed via fluorine K-edge µ-XANES spectroscopy. To support spectral interpretation with respect to inorganic and organic chemical distribution and compound class determination, linear combination (LC) fitting was applied to all recorded µ-XANES spectra. Complementarily, solvent extracts of all samples were target-analysed via LC-MS/MS spectrometry. The detected PFAS sum values range from 20 to 1136 µg/kg dry weight (dw). All environmentally exposed samples revealed higher concentration of PFAS with a chain length >C8 (e.g. 580 µg/kg dw PFOS for Soil1), whereas the consumer product samples showed a more uniform distribution with regard to chain lengths from C4 to C8. Independent from quantified PFAS amounts via target analysis, µ-XRF mapping combined with µ-XANES spectroscopy was successfully applied to detect both point-specific concentration maxima and evenly distributed surface coatings of fluorinated organic contaminants in the corresponding samples.