Limit of detection. A closer look at the IUPAC definition

Sewage treatment plant (STP) effluents with primarily domestic inputs are strongly suspected to be an important source of natural and synthetic estrogens contaminating the aquatic environment. Even a few ng/L of some of these substances can provoke reproductive disturbances in riverine fish. The main purpose of this investigation has been that of ascertaining whether activated sludge STPs (ASSTPs) are able to produce significant amounts of free estrogens. For this purpose, we have monitored monthly estriol (E3), estradiol (E2), estrone (E1) and ethinylestradiol (EE2) in influents and effluents of six Roman ASSTPs for five months. To do this, we have developed an original analytical method involving analyte extraction with a Carbograph 4 cartridge and LC coupled with negative turbo ion spray tandem mass spectrometry in the selected reaction monitoring mode. Analyte recovery ranged between 86 and 91%, and limits of quantification were below 1 ng/L. Over five months, inlet concentrations of E3, E2, E1 and EE...

Monitoring Natural and Synthetic Estrogens at Activated Sludge Sewage Treatment Plants and in a Receiving River Water

This document is a revision to the ''Guidelines for Data Acquisition and Data Quality Evaluation in Environmental Chemistry''. The guidelines presented are organized according to a general operational model for conducting analytical measurements of environmental samples. Elements needed to obtain reliable data as well as factors that have been shown to produce unreliable measurements, are identified. The principles described include planning, quality assurance and quality control, verification and validation, precision and accuracy, sampling, measurements, and documentation and reporting. Differing degrees of reliability, dictated by the objectives, time, and resources available, influence the protocol chosen to meet the requirements of a given problem. Advances in analytical methodology continue to lower the concentration levels at which reliable measurements can be made, and requirements for increased sensitivity provide an incentive for advances in analytical procedures. 4 figures, 1 table.

Principles of environmental analysis

2 HarvestPlus Technical Monographs are designed to provide a forum for HarvestPlus research outputs. Technical Monographs can be of two kinds: • state-of-the-art reviews that help to establish and define HarvestPlus research questions or • " gold standard " procedures to be followed in HarvestPlus research. HarvestPlus technical monographs are written by recognized experts in the field and are externally peer reviewed prior to publication.

/pdf/harvestplus-handbook-for-carotenoid-analysis-3bxqvjq4dx.pdf

HarvestPlus Handbook for Carotenoid Analysis.

(2000). Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Journal of Immunoassay: Vol. 21, No. 2-3, pp. 165-209.

Warren B. Crummett

Papers

Guidelines for data acquisition and data quality evaluation in environmental chemistry

Principles of environmental analysis

Real-World Limitations to Detection

Better Environmental Analytical Results