Low-cost Cellulose SPE with LC-MS and LC-ICPMS workflows for Endocrine Disruptors and Trace Metals in Complex Waters, with Machine Learning Optimisation

Cooperating countries: Nigeria and Austria

Coordinating institution: University of Vienna, Ronald A. Glabonjat ronald.glabonjat@univie.ac.at 

Partner institutions: Redeemers University

Project duration: 

Budget: EUR 39.720

Abstract: 

Access to safe water is essential for health, ecosystems and economic development, yet many communities in Africa face persistent contamination and limited monitoring capacity. This project will develop and validate a cellulose based solid phase extraction (SPE) platform for monitoring bisphenol A and S (BPA, BPS), methyl and propyl parabens (MeP, PrP), triclosan (TCS), benzophenone 3 (BP3) and metal species As(III, V) and Cr(III, VI). The sorbent integrates quaternary ammonium and iminodiacetate functionalities to retain anionic and cationic targets, with staged elution that tolerates dissolved solids and organic matter. pH, ionic strength and sorbent mass will be tuned using Bayesian optimisation and response surface designs to identify robust regions with high recovery. Extracts will be analysed by liquid chromatography electrospray mass spectrometry (LC-ESMS) for organic micropollutants and liquid chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LC-ICPMS) for trace metals. Field samples from rivers, groundwater, tap water and wastewater in Nigeria will anchor transfer to the Mass Spectrometry Centre in Vienna. Analytical quality control will focus on recovery, precision and quantitation limits to benchmark the platform against leading commercial cartridges like Oasis HLB, MAX, Strata X and Bond Elut. Outputs include an open protocol, curated datasets, optimisation and validation scripts, trained analysts and publications that advance SDGs 6, 3 and 12 and build capacity. Ultimately, this study aims to enable affordable broad band application of a unified monitoring platform across diverse matrices providing a scalable and transferable approach to safeguard water quality in Western Africa and globally.