Advanced analytical strategies for detection characterization and environmental monitoring of fluorinated xenobiotics
- 1UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Dublin, D04 V1W8, Ireland
Abstract
Fluorine-containing xenobiotics including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), fluorinated pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and industrial compounds, pose significant analytical challenges due to their persistence, low environmental concentrations, and structural diversity. Detection and monitoring of these compounds require highly sensitive and selective methods capable of resolving complex mixtures at trace levels. Analytical strategies increasingly employ chromatographic techniques such as high- and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC, UHPLC) and gas chromatography (GC), coupled with tandem and high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS, GC–MS/MS, Orbitrap, TOF) for both targeted and non-targeted analyses. Ion chromatography (IC) enables measurement of ionic species, while 19 F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) enables direct, quantitative fluorine-specific detection for structure and pathway elucidation. Complementary spectroscopic methods, including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy, provide further insights into C–F bonding environments. Total fluorine determination by combustion ion chromatography (CIC) and particle-induced gamma-ray emission (PIGE) spectroscopy offers a comprehensive assessment of fluorine content, while the total oxidisable precursor (TOP) assay and fluoride ion-selective electrodes (ISE) aid in precursor and degradation analysis. Integration of passive sampling, isotope-labelled standards, and biomonitoring enhances environmental and biological relevance. Beyond analytical advances, this review critically examines how emerging targeted, suspect-screening, and non-targeted approaches improve source tracking, exposure assessment, environmental monitoring, and regulatory surveillance of fluorinated contaminants. The review further discusses current knowledge gaps, the challenges associated with emerging fluorinated compounds, and the need for integrated analytical and monitoring frameworks to support future risk assessment, remediation strategies, and evidence-based environmental management.
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BibTeX
@article{khan2026advanced,
title = {{Advanced analytical strategies for detection characterization and environmental monitoring of fluorinated xenobiotics}},
author = {Mohd Faheem Khan},
journal = {Discover Molecules},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1007/s44345-026-00068-6},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s44345-026-00068-6},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Advanced analytical strategies for detection characterization and environmental monitoring of fluorinated xenobiotics
AU - Mohd Faheem Khan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/20
JO - Discover Molecules
DO - 10.1007/s44345-026-00068-6
UR - https://doi.org/10.1007/s44345-026-00068-6
AB - Fluorine-containing xenobiotics including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), fluorinated pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and industrial compounds, pose significant analytical challenges due to their persistence, low environmental concentrations, and structural diversity. Detection and monitoring of these compounds require highly sensitive and selective methods capable of resolving complex mixtures at trace levels. Analytical strategies increasingly employ chromatographic techniques such as high- and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC, UHPLC) and gas chromatography (GC), coupled with tandem and high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS, GC–MS/MS, Orbitrap, TOF) for both targeted and non-targeted analyses. Ion chromatography (IC) enables measurement of ionic species, while 19 F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) enables direct, quantitative fluorine-specific detection for structure and pathway elucidation. Complementary spectroscopic methods, including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy, provide further insights into C–F bonding environments. Total fluorine determination by combustion ion chromatography (CIC) and particle-induced gamma-ray emission (PIGE) spectroscopy offers a comprehensive assessment of fluorine content, while the total oxidisable precursor (TOP) assay and fluoride ion-selective electrodes (ISE) aid in precursor and degradation analysis. Integration of passive sampling, isotope-labelled standards, and biomonitoring enhances environmental and biological relevance. Beyond analytical advances, this review critically examines how emerging targeted, suspect-screening, and non-targeted approaches improve source tracking, exposure assessment, environmental monitoring, and regulatory surveillance of fluorinated contaminants. The review further discusses current knowledge gaps, the challenges associated with emerging fluorinated compounds, and the need for integrated analytical and monitoring frameworks to support future risk assessment, remediation strategies, and evidence-based environmental management.
SN - 3004-9350
ER -