Comparison between SPE and QuEChERS extraction of emerging contaminants in Adamussium colbecki

In recent years, research has substantiated the presence of emerging contaminants (ECs), known or assumed to cause harm to the environment, including in the ecosystem of remote regions, such as Antarctica. This unique environment, characterised by low temperatures, freezing water, and prolonged periods of darkness, reduces the degradation processes of contaminants, thus increasing the persistence of these chemicals [1]. Consequently, their accumulation or pseudo-persistence in the Antarctic environment may present various issues, such as mutagenicity, genotoxicity, reproductive and developmental disorders, and immune system disruption of various species [2]. To monitor marine contamination, bivalves are often utilized in the scientific literature [3]. These organisms are robust sentinels, due to their characteristics: they are filter feeders with limited mobility, posses wide spatial distribution, demonstrate tolerance to diverse environmental conditions, and are easily sampled [4]. Adamussium colbecki is one of the most common marine organisms on the Antarctic coasts. A. colbecki is a filter-feeding organism, that consumes phytoplanktonic suspensions, benthic diatoms, foraminifera, and general detritus and hence can accumulate ECs, especially those which are persistent, making it a reliable tool for environmental monitoring [3]. In this work, the bioindicator species A. colbecki was utilised to evaluate Antarctic contamination over the years. Certified reference material (CRM) was spiked with a known amount of ECs. Subsequently, the samples underwent two distinct pre-treatment procedures: solid-liquid extraction followed by solid phase extraction (SPE) and QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) extraction. The resulting extracts were analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The objective of the analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of the two different pre-treatment methodologies by comparing the matrix effect (ME%) and the recovery (R%) achieved by each technique. Analysis of the extract obtained after the SPE pre-treatment revealed that 5 compounds had acceptable ME (%) and R (%) (69%-79% and 79%-99%, respectively). Examination of samples subjected to pre-treatment with QuEChERS indicated that 8 compounds exhibited ME (%) and R (%) between 72% and 136% and 78% and 121%, respectively. These preliminary results indicate the potentialities of the latter procedure, characterised by higher eco-friendly characteristics and ease of use.