The Use of GC×GC-HR-ToF MS for the Identification of Novel Halogenated Compounds in Great Lakes fish

Session: Chemical Monitoring and Surveillance in the Great Lakes: Multimedia (1)

Aikebaier Renaguli, Clarkson University, [email protected]
Sujan Fernando, Clarkson University, [email protected]
Bernard Crimmins, Clarkson University, [email protected]
Philip Hopke, Clarkson University, [email protected]
Thomas Holsen, Dept. Civil & Environ. Eng., Clarkson University, [email protected]

Abstract

The Great Lakes are impacted by fugitive emissions chemical contaminants from industries, agriculture and urban centers in the region. Monitoring these chemical stressors in Great Lakes wildlife can be challenging, but vital to assessing the overall health of the system. Traditional analytical methods target a select compounds or compound classes in the biota; however, these may represent only a fraction of contaminant burden. Due to complexity of the biological matrix, classical analytical techniques are not suitable for understanding the complete halogenated fingerprint in the biota. In this study, a non-targeted screening approach was developed and applied to Great Lakes fish using a multi-dimensional gas chromatograph coupled to a high-resolution time of flight mass spectrometer (GCxGC-HR-ToF MS). More than 60 novel halogenated species were identified in whole fish lake trout from all Great Lakes and the most abundant chemical class detected was halomethoxyphenols (MeOPs). MeOPs were present at higher concentrations than PCBs, but little is known about their potential origin. To assess the risks that these contaminants may pose to human consumers, fish fillets were also analyzed. A discussion of the tissue distribution of the halogenated chemical signature will be presented with insight to possible sources of detected novel halogenated chemicals.