Analytical performance of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer compared to a high resolution mass spectrometer for the analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in fish.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of flame retardants used globally in many consumer products and industrial applications. Traditionally, gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HR-MS) is the method of choice for analysis of PBDEs in environmental samples because it offers high sensitivity and selectivity, resulting in less interferences. However, the specificity offered by gas chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (GC-QQQ-MS/MS), operated in selected reaction monitoring mode, provides a more affordable alternative to GC-HR-MS for the analysis of PBDEs in complex environmental samples. In this study, an analytical method was developed for the analysis of 41 PBDE congeners in fish using GC-QQQ-MS/MS. Results from the analysis of three fish species [lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), yellow perch (Perca flavescens), and round goby (Neogobius melanostomus)] using GC-QQQ-MS/MS were compared with those obtained by GC-HR-MS. These species were selected because they represent varying levels of lipid-rich matrix and contaminant loads. Instrumental limits of detection for the GC-QQQ-MS/MS ranged from 0.04 pg to 41 pg, whereas those for the GC-HR-MS ranged from 5 pg to 85 pg. The PBDE values obtained from these two methods were highly correlated, R(2) values >0.7, for all three fish species, supporting the suitability of GC-QQQ-MS/MS for analysis of PBDEs in fish with varying fat content.

PCB and PBDE levels in wild common carp (Cyprinus carpio) from eastern Lake Erie.

Male common carp (Cyprinus carpio) from eastern Lake Erie, which is greatly effected by urbanization, agriculture, and industry, were analyzed for PCB and PBDE concentrations in plasma, muscle, and liver to evaluate exposure to these chemicals through habitat interactions. Additional male carp from two nearby relatively clean lakes (Bear Lake and Hemlock Lake, NY) were also sampled as controls. While PCBs were detected in muscle, liver, and plasma of Lake Erie carp, the largest concentrations were found in muscle, which also had the most number of congeners. The dominant congeners were PCB 138 and PCB 153. Concentrations of PCB 153 in the muscle were correlated with fish length, total weight, and age. Therefore, larger (and generally older) carp had the highest concentrations of PCB 153. In contrast, PBDEs were found only in muscle with the predominant congener being PBDE 47. The total PCB concentrations in muscle of male carp from eastern Lake Erie (ranging from nd to 15,000 ng g(-1) lipid) were 100-fold higher than the total PBDE observed (1.5-100 ng g(-1) lipid), indicating a higher level of contamination of PCBs in Lake Erie. The high PCB levels in carp points to PCB resistance to metabolic degradation.