Determination of some beta-blockers in surface water samples

A SPE-LC/MS/MS liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method was validated for the isolation and quantification of six beta-blockers (atenolol, propranolol, betaxolol, bisoprolol, nadolol, and pindolol) and one metabolite (4- hidroxy propranolol) in surface water samples. Using the entire procedure we obtained good recovery rates (74.8-102.5%) and low quantification limits (0.17-3.69 ng/L) for target compounds. The impact of two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) effluents on the Jiu and Danube rivers was evaluated by analyzing surface water samples collected in upstream and downstream of WWTPs. It was found that Jiu river was more contaminated than the Danube. For propranolol, the increased concentration factors were 8.3 in the Jiu river and 7.7 in the Danube river.