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Photodegradation of bisphenol A in aqueous medium: Monitoring and identification of by‐products by liquid chromatography coupled to high‐resolution mass spectrometry
Author(s) -
Silva Júlio César Cardoso,
Reis Teodoro Janaina Aparecida,
Afonso Robson José de Cássia Franco,
Aquino Sérgio F.,
Augusti Rodinei
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
rapid communications in mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.528
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1097-0231
pISSN - 0951-4198
DOI - 10.1002/rcm.6863
Subject(s) - chemistry , photodegradation , mass spectrometry , bisphenol a , chromatography , electrospray , orbitrap , aqueous solution , contamination , electrospray ionization , liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry , environmental chemistry , mineralization (soil science) , photocatalysis , organic chemistry , catalysis , ecology , nitrogen , epoxy , biology
RATIONALE Environmental bisphenol A (BPA) contamination is currently a matter of concern. This compound can disrupt the endocrine system by mimicking natural hormones and cause adverse effects on different organisms. In addition, it has been suggested that BPA can impair brain development, especially in fetuses and children. To efficiently remove BPA from contaminated water and wastewaters, several emerging technologies have been developed. Most are based on photodegradation. However, by‐products resulting from the application of such methods have not been properly characterized. METHODS The photodegradation of BPA was conducted using two different methods: photocatalysis (TiO 2 /UV‐A and TiO 2 /UV‐C systems) and direct photolysis (UV‐A and UV‐C radiation). The degradation process was continuously monitored to identify and observe the by‐products formed under these conditions. Direct infusion electrospray ionization coupled to high‐resolution mass spectrometry in negative ion mode [ESI(–)‐HRMS] and liquid chromatography coupled to high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC/HRMS) were employed to monitor these by‐products. RESULTS The results revealed that the TiO 2 /UV‐C system was the most efficient in causing both BPA depletion and mineralization of the organic matter in solution. Moreover, accurate mass data allowed for the assignment of molecular formulae for seven by‐products, many of them unprecedented, formed under these conditions. Thus, a route for the photodegradation of BPA in aqueous medium could be proposed based on these results. Finally, additional tests revealed that the by‐products showed a higher toxicity against Artemia salina than the primary precursor. CONCLUSIONS All of these findings indicate that the identification of by‐products arising from oxidative treatments is of primary importance because such compounds can be more hazardous than their precursors. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.