Quantification of ultratrace levels of fluoroquinolones in wastewater by molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass

In this work a selective and sensitive analytical method for simultaneous determination of 11 fluoroquinolones antibiotics in water was developed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (U-HPLC/MS–MS). Molecularly imprinted polymers solid-phase extraction (MIP-SPE) was used for the enrichment. The recoveries of samples in matrix was more than 75%, RSD value was less than 15%. The detection limit of fluoroquinolones is ng L−1. Norfloxacin, ofloxacin and enrofloxacin were determined in the sludge, difloxacin and sarafloxacin were found in both effluent and sludge. Antibiotics used in animal husbandry and aquaculture may have a significant influence on the WWTP influent.