Within the frame of the Erasmus+ student exchange program, Katarina Marković, a PhD student at the Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, and co-worker of the Department of Environmental Sciences at the Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI), visited the TU Wien, Institute for Water Quality and Resource Management. Working visit was led by Dr. techn. Ernis Saracevic and Univ. Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. techn. Matthias Zessner. 

It lasted for two months, from September to November 2021 and was focused on the optimization of the analytical method for the determination of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technique in river water, and influent and effluent wastewater samples (see Figure 6).

PFAS are highly persistent organofluorine compounds monitored within the European project Danube Hazard m3c in which TU Wien and JSI are involved.

Due to their unique chemical characteristics, PFAS are widely used for numerous industrial purposes (surfactants, sprays, lubricants, adhesives, additives, coatings, paints etc.), making them one of the most prevalent emerging contaminants.

Establishment of reliable analytical method for PFAS determination is challenging due to their abundance (more than 4700 compounds) and diversity of chemical properties. Another issue lies in their widespread use, which may contribute to the risk of extraneous contamination and consequently to the high limits of detection and quantification (LODs and LOQs). During her stay in Vienna, Katarina joined the group and worked on overcoming the above-mentioned problems. First, LC-MS/MS procedure was optimized applying three different quantification methods i.e. external calibration, internal calibration and standard addition calibration. Katarina had also the opportunity to join sampling and to work on further optimization and validation of the analytical procedure. The joint work resulted in the establishment of the reliable analytical procedure for PFAS determination.

The experience and new knowledge that Katarina gained in TU Wien laboratory will be of great benefit in her further career.  Katarina's visit strengthened collaboration between Danube hazard m3c partners (TU Wien and JSI) and contributed to the knowledge transfer

(Photo: Katarina Markovič and Ernis Saracevic in the laboratory at the Insitute for Water Quality and Resources Management, TU Wien).