Abstract

Congener-specific determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in biosolids by GC/HRSIRMS

Author(s): William C.Brumley, Mohammad A.Mottaleb

Biosolids from eight municipal sewage treatment plants were studied from the standpoint of determining PBDE congener target analytes in each sample. Targeted analytes were subjected to high specificity through the use of high resolution selected ion recordingmass spectrometry (HRSIRMS). Three ions fromthe molecular ion cluster of each congener group were monitored at 10000 resolution and PCB#204 was used as the internal standard. The seven congeners determined ranged from low tens of g/kg to several mg/ kg in each sample. The general presence of PBDEs indicates that biosolids serve as an environmental sink for these compounds, and the application of biosolids to land and other uses must take into consideration the presence and fate of these compounds.