Separation, identification and quantification of components of industrial effluents with bioconcentration potential

A procedure for the separation, identification and quantification of components of industrial effluents that have the potential for bioconcentration has been developed and evaluated. Effluents were first extracted with a mixture of hexane and t-butyl methyl ether, and then fractionated into groups having log Kow < 3, log Kow from 3 to 5, and log Kow > 5 by HPLC using a semi-preparative C18 column and gradient elution with methanol/phosphate buffer. The fractions, having Kow > 3, were derivatized, and after cleanup by open-column chromatography on silica gel, subjected to GC-MS analysis for identification. Compounds that were identified were quantified by GC using FID. The method has been validated using a spiked sample and an effluent, and evaluated by application to three widely different types of industrial effluents.