Multi-residue analysis of steroids at sub-ng/L levels in surface and ground-waters using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

Most analytical methodologies currently available for the determination of steroids in water only identify a few representative compounds (mainly estrogens). In this context, a multi-residue methodology based on liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was developed for the determination of 26 steroids including natural and synthetic estrogens, progestagens and androgens. The method described involves limited sample preparation as it includes a filtration followed by a single solid-phase extraction step using a C18 cartridge. The analytical procedure allows the determination of the target analytes in the lower ng/L range, with recoveries above 80%. The methodology was successfully applied to the analysis of steroids in several surface and ground-waters. In all the waters, estrogens, androgens and/or progestagens were determined.