DETERMINATION OF SURFACTANTS IN SURFACE-WATER BY SOLID-PHASE EXTRACTION, LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY AND LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY-MASS SPECTROMETRY

Determination of surfactants in surface waters is required owing to th eir toxicity to aquatic micro-organisms and potential oestrogenic effe cts. We have investigated methods for the determination of two types o f surfactants by solid-phase extraction with C-18 and SAX cartridges. HPLC separation of anionic and non-ionic surfactants on a C-1 (TMS) co lumn has been achieved and detection via both fluorescence and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (atmospheric pressure chemical ionisa tion interface) is reported. Recoveries are approximately 100% using t he method developed with detection limits of 50 ng on column for detec tion by fluorescence. Alkylphenol ethoxylates have been detected in sa mples taken from the River Rother in South Yorkshire, UK, at levels of 5.6 mu g l(-1) using the described methodology.