Rapid analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in soil by matrix solid-phase dispersion using bamboo charcoal as dispersive sorbent

An expeditious and sensitive method for the analysis of eight major polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in soil is presented in this study. The method is based on matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) extraction and gas chromatography with negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry. Bamboo charcoal, a cheap and potentially useful material, was selected for the first time as the MSPD dispersive sorbent. Parameters affecting the extraction efficiency, including the ratio of sorbent to sample, and the type and amount of eluent, were investigated and optimized in detail. Under optimal conditions, the spiked recovery of the PBDEs was in the range 71.7–105.9%, and the limits of detection varied from 10 to 400 pg g −1 (dry weight). Excellent linearity with correlation coefficients ( r 2 ) of 0.9992–0.9999 was obtained over the concentration range of 0.10–500 ng g −1 , except for BDE-209, for which the effective concentration range was 1.0–5000 ng g −1 . The developed method has been successfully applied to the analysis of PBDEs in real soil samples.