Fast and feasible ultrasound-assisted pretreatment for the determination of organotin compounds in environmental samples

Abstract

The goal of this study was to improve an already established reference method, such as the onedevoted to organotin compounds determination (Reference method for Marine Pollution Studies,No. 59, UNEP). The upgrades consist of replacing the mechanical shaking by ultrasound energyand applying low temperature throughout the whole procedure. The optimization of the new operational conditions was carried out using a factorial design. Quality control was performed usinga certified sediment reference material (PACS-2) for sediments (82.5-97% of recovery) andrecoveries on spiked samples for suspended particulate matter (SPM) and mussels (94-100%).The proposed procedure was applied to surface sediment samples, SPM and native bivalve mollusks (Brachidontes rodriguezii) collected in Bahia Blanca estuary, a very industrialized zone.The relative standard deviation (RSD%) of the environmental samples were less than 7.9%. It is important to note that the proposed procedure reduced the sample pretreatment time about seven times.