ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Development of an Analytical Method
for Determining Tributyltin and Triphenyltin
in Seawater, Sediment, and Mussel Samples Using
GC-FPD and GC-MS – TOF
Hussein K. Okoro1, Olalekan S. Fatoki1, Bhekumusa J. Ximba1,
Folahan A. Adekola2, Reinette G. Snyman3
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1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology,
P.O. Box 1906, Cape Town, 7535 South Africa
2Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Ilorin, P.M.B.1515, Ilorin, Nigeria
3Department of Biodiversity and Conservation, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology,
P.O. Box 652 Cape Town 8000, South Africa
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2012;21(6):1743-1753
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Analytical methods for speciation of targeted organotin compounds (TBT and TPT) in water samples
using SPE cartridge and liquid-liquid extraction has been carried out. Also, sediment analysis using methanolacid
digestion and acid-sonication extraction methods also were developed. Different parameters affecting
extraction and peak resolution were optimized. Also, three derivatization procedures were optimized. The
accuracy of the extraction procedure also was verified on certified reference material (BCR-462) certified for
TBT (54±15 μg/kg) and DBT (68±12 μg/kg). Freeze-dried mussel tissue (ERM-CE 477) was certified for
TBT (2.20±0.19 mg/kg), DBT (1.54±0.12 mg/kg), and MBT (1.50±0.28 mg/kg). The two certified reference
materials were used for recovery experiments. Good recoveries were obtained with methanol-acid digestion.
The result was validated by analyzing the real water and sediment samples collected from Cape Town harbor
and the compounds were detected in both water and sediment samples. Extraction of water samples with SPE
gave better recovery for TPT than TBT. Performance characteristics such as linearity, detection limit (LOD),
quantification limit (LOQ), and recovery were determined. Recoveries of TBT and TPT in spiked water using
SPE were 65% and 70%, respectively. Quantitative recoveries also were recorded for the certified reference
standards of sediments and mussel materials used.