ABSTRACT
This work describes the development of an analytical procedure for the determination of short chain dicarboxylic acids (C2-C10) both in aqueous and solid matrices such as aerosols and mortars. The developed and validated methodology was based on the preconcentration of compounds by means of mixed-mode solid phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, regardless the analyzed samples. In the case of solid samples, a prior extraction of target compounds using ultrasonic probe-assisted solid-liquid extraction was required. In general terms, the developed procedure rendered good results in terms of accuracy (apparent recoveries in the range 90-130% and 86-98% for marine aerosol and mortar samples, respectively) and repeatability (%RSD < 25%) except for those compounds interacting more strongly with the solid matrix and being more reactive. The method was applied to detect dicarboxylic acids in marine aerosol water samples and in mortars of a 20th century historical building (Punta Begoña Galleries, Getxo) located in a coastal environment (Biscay Gulf, Basque Country, Northern Spain) with industrial activity. According to the results, harbor activities may have effect on the concentrations of dicarboxylic acids found in both matrices since the façade of the building exposed to the industrial harbor (southwest orientation) appears to be more contaminated than the one oriented to the northwest.
