Determination of Diclofenac in Water Samples from Wastewater Treatment Plants by Large Volume Injection-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), was analyzed in samples from two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Spain. For this process, a new analytical method using large volume injection in gas chromatography mass spectrometry (LVI-GC-MS) via a through oven transfer adsorption desorption (TOTAD) interface was developed. Diclofenac was detected within incoming water (in the effluent after a decantation step), but not in outgoing water, demonstrating the efficiency of treatment of the WWTP.