The definition of emerging contaminants (ECs) encompasses a broad range of chemical compounds that are not traditionally monitored in the environment but have been recognised for their potential to cause ecological and human health risks. Despite their possible adverse effects, these compounds have not yet undergone international regulation. Recent scientific studies have confirmed the widespread presence of ECs even in remote areas such as Antarctica, where various classes, including pesticides, pharmaceutical and personal care products and hormones, have been detected [1,2]. The presence of these compounds in polar environments causes concern as the region’s extreme environmental conditions (low temperatures, prolonged darkness, and freezing waters) combined with the chemical species’ characteristics of poor degradability may lead to prolonged environmental persistence or pseudo-persistence [3]. The accumulation of these contaminants poses significant risks to the Antarctic biota, including potential mutagenic, genotoxic, and endocrine-disrupting effects [4]. The simplicity of the region’s trophic chain further exacerbates these risks, as even minor fluctuations in key species populations can trigger cascading effects throughout the Antarctic marine ecosystem [5]. Given the complexity of biological matrices, detecting trace levels of ECs in Antarctic marine organisms presents a significant analytical challenge. This study aimed to develop and optimise an analytical method for detecting ECs at trace levels in Antarctic biota. The QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) extraction method was optimised using samples of Adamussium colbecki, an Antarctic bivalve, as a model organism. Following validation of the methodology with A. colbecki, the protocol was extended to other Antarctic marine species, including Sphaerotylus antarcticus, Odontaster Validus, Trematomus bernacchii, and Laternula elliptica to assess its robustness and applicability. Recovery (R%) and matrix effect (ME%) were used as key performance indicators. The final method demonstrated satisfactory recoveries (42-143%) and acceptable matrix effects (62-108%) across all tested species, confirming its suitability for complex biota samples. The optimised procedure was subsequently applied to environmental specimens collected during Antarctic expeditions from 2001 to 2022, successfully identifying trace levels of contaminants such as triclosan (TCS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and octyl-dimethyl p-aminobenzoic acid (OD-PABA). This study presents the first validated QuEChERS method for ECs analysis in Antarctic biota, offering a simple and reliable tool for long-term environmental monitoring and contamination assessment in the Antarctic marine ecosystem.
Mass Spectrometry and QuEChERS-based Extraction: Tracing Emerging Contaminants in Antarctic marine organisms
julia gambetta vianna;barbara benedetti;marina di carro;emanuele magi
2025-01-01
Abstract
The definition of emerging contaminants (ECs) encompasses a broad range of chemical compounds that are not traditionally monitored in the environment but have been recognised for their potential to cause ecological and human health risks. Despite their possible adverse effects, these compounds have not yet undergone international regulation. Recent scientific studies have confirmed the widespread presence of ECs even in remote areas such as Antarctica, where various classes, including pesticides, pharmaceutical and personal care products and hormones, have been detected [1,2]. The presence of these compounds in polar environments causes concern as the region’s extreme environmental conditions (low temperatures, prolonged darkness, and freezing waters) combined with the chemical species’ characteristics of poor degradability may lead to prolonged environmental persistence or pseudo-persistence [3]. The accumulation of these contaminants poses significant risks to the Antarctic biota, including potential mutagenic, genotoxic, and endocrine-disrupting effects [4]. The simplicity of the region’s trophic chain further exacerbates these risks, as even minor fluctuations in key species populations can trigger cascading effects throughout the Antarctic marine ecosystem [5]. Given the complexity of biological matrices, detecting trace levels of ECs in Antarctic marine organisms presents a significant analytical challenge. This study aimed to develop and optimise an analytical method for detecting ECs at trace levels in Antarctic biota. The QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) extraction method was optimised using samples of Adamussium colbecki, an Antarctic bivalve, as a model organism. Following validation of the methodology with A. colbecki, the protocol was extended to other Antarctic marine species, including Sphaerotylus antarcticus, Odontaster Validus, Trematomus bernacchii, and Laternula elliptica to assess its robustness and applicability. Recovery (R%) and matrix effect (ME%) were used as key performance indicators. The final method demonstrated satisfactory recoveries (42-143%) and acceptable matrix effects (62-108%) across all tested species, confirming its suitability for complex biota samples. The optimised procedure was subsequently applied to environmental specimens collected during Antarctic expeditions from 2001 to 2022, successfully identifying trace levels of contaminants such as triclosan (TCS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and octyl-dimethyl p-aminobenzoic acid (OD-PABA). This study presents the first validated QuEChERS method for ECs analysis in Antarctic biota, offering a simple and reliable tool for long-term environmental monitoring and contamination assessment in the Antarctic marine ecosystem.
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