Koh, Yoong K. K.Chiu, Tze Y.Boobis, Alan R.Cartmell, ElisePollard, Simon J. T.Scrimshaw, Mark D.Lester, John N.2011-09-292011-09-292008-09-01Yoong K.K. Koh, Tze Y. Chiu, Alan R. Boobis, Elise Cartmell, Simon J.T. Pollard, Mark D. Scrimshaw, John N. Lester, A sensitive and robust method for the determination of alkylphenol polyethoxylates and their carboxylic acids and their transformation in a trickling filter wastewater treatment plant, Chemosphere, Volume 73, Issue 4, September 2008, Pages 551-5560045-6535http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2008.06.016http://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/3337This paper presents a method for the determination of alkylphenols, alkylphenol polyethoxylates (APEO) and alkylphenol ethoxycarboxylates (APEC) in the aqueous and particulate phase of wastewater samples. Quantification was achieved by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The sensitivity of the method is demonstrated by low detection limits, in the dissolved phase 1.2–9.6 ng l−1 for alkylphenol, AP1–3EO and APEC and 0.1–4.1 ng l−1 for longer chain alkylphenol polyethoxylates. The method detection limit for particulate phase samples ranged from 6 to 60 ng g−1 for AP, AP1–3EO and APEC; with the longer chain APEO being from 0.5 to 20 ng g−1. Matrix effects were noted in complex matrix rich samples. There was a distinct change in the distribution of alkylphenol ethoxylates during biological treatment of the wastewater, with the major biotransformation products observed being carboxylated derivatives at concentrations of up to 1768 ng l−1. Shorter chain APEO were present in higher proportions in the suspended solids, due to their higher affinity to particulate matter compared to the lonen-UKAlkylphenolPolyethoxylatesCarboxylatesDissolvedParticulateArticle