Detecting N-nitrosamines in water treatment plants and distribution systems in China using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and several other N-nitrosamines have been detected as disinfection by-products in drinking waters in many countries around the world. An ultra-performance liquid chromatographytandem mass spectrometry method with solid phase extraction sample preparation was developed to study the occurrence of N-nitrosamines in several water treatment plants and distribution systems in China. Isotope labeled N-nitrosodi-n-propylamine-d14 (NDPA-d14) was selected as the internal standard for quantification. The solid phase extraction procedures including pH, enrichment process and MS/MS parameters including capillary voltage, cone gas flow, cone voltage, collision energy were optimized to give average recoveries of 26% to 112% for nine N-nitrosamine species. The instrument detection limits were estimated to range from 0.5 to 5 mu g center dot L-1 for the nine N-nitrosamine species. NDMA and several other N-nitrosamines were found at fairly high concentrations in several water treatment plants and distribution systems. NDMA was found in all locations, and the highest concentrations in cities B, G, T, and W were 3.0, 35.7, 21.3, and 19.7 ng center dot L-1, respectively. A wide range of N-nitrosamines concentrations and species were observed in different locations. Higher concentrations of N-nitrosamines were detected in distribution systems that were further away from the treatment plants, suggesting that the contact time between the residual disinfectant and natural organic matter may play an important role in the formation of these compounds.