A Direct Mass Spectrometry Method for the Rapid Analysis of Ubiquitous Tire-Derived Toxin <i>N</i>-(1,3-Dimethylbutyl)-<i>N</i>′-phenyl-<i>p</i>-phenylenediamine Quinone (6-PPDQ)
J. J. Monaghan, Angelina Jaeger, Alon Agua, Ryan S. Stanton, Michael C. Pirrung, Chris G. Gill, Erik T. Krogh
Abstract
-phenylenediamine quinone (6-PPDQ), has recently been found to contribute to "urban runoff mortality syndrome" in Coho salmon at nanogram per liter levels. Given the number of fish-bearing streams with multiple stormwater inputs, large-scale campaigns to identify 6-PPDQ sources and evaluate mitigation strategies will require sensitive, high-throughput analytical methods. We report the development and optimization of a direct sampling tandem mass spectrometry method for semiquantitative 6-PPDQ determinations using a thin polydimethylsiloxane membrane immersion probe. The method requires no sample cleanup steps or chromatographic separations, even in complex, heterogeneous samples. Quantitation is achieved by the method of standard additions, with a detection limit of 8 ng/L and a duty cycle of 15 min/sample. High-throughput screening provides semiquantitative concentrations with similar sensitivity and a full analytical duty cycle of 2.5 min/sample. Preliminary data and performance metrics are reported for 6-PPDQ present in representative environmental and stormwater samples. The method is readily adapted for real-time process monitoring, demonstrated by following the dissolution of 6-PPDQ from tire fragments and subsequent removal in response to added sorbents.