The distribution of O,O,O-trimethylthiophosphate and O,O,S-trimethyldithiophosphate in the North Sea

An analytical approach is presented which allows quantification of thiophosphates at pg/L (ppq) levels by fluid-fluid extraction and subsequent GC-AFID detection. The high efficiency of this detector for this class of compounds is demonstrated by presenting results of 0,0,0-trimethylthiophosphate (TMTP) and 0,0,S-trimethyldithiophosphate (TMDTP) in North Sea water samples from two different years (1991, 1993) as well as in samples of the Ijsselmeer and the Elbe river. The concentrations in the North Sea varied between 1 - 1400 pg/L and 2 - 9400 pg/L, respectively. This is the first report about the contamination of sea water with thiophosphates and their distribution in the German Eight and the eastern part of the North Sea. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd