Development of a simple desulfurization procedure for the determination of butyltins in complex sediment samples using gas chromatography–pulsed flame photometric detection

In this study a rapid solid phase extraction (SPE) procedure was developed to minimize the effect of different sulfur species for the determination of butyltin in sediments. The organosulfur species and organotins were firstly retained on C8 cartridges and then organotins were selectively eluted and analyzed by gas chromatography–pulsed flame photometric detection (GC–PFPD). Optimal conditions for the SPE procedure were obtained using an experimental design approach. The methodʹs accuracy was established by analyzing a certified reference material (CRM), BCR-646 freshwater sediment. The experimental values were found to be in agreement with the assigned values for butyltins. Finally, complex sediment samples collected from a Chilean harbor were analyzed using this methodology to demonstrate its analytical potential for the determination of butyltin in environmental samples.