The program gave a lot of options to choose from, as different parallel sessions were held.  Next to a session of MilieuChemTox (MCT) other KNCV-subdivisions of analytical chemistry were addressed, including DSP (Discussion group Separation methods for Polymers), CE (Capillary Electrophoresis Discussion Group) and TI-COAST, Top Institute for Comprehensive Analytical Science and Technology.

The day was opened by a very nice key-note presentation from Prof. dr. Ron Heeren. He and his team developed new physical measurement methods to map the distribution of molecules on complex surfaces (Mass Spectrometry Imaging - MSI) and he further developed MSI in a biomedical setting. His work is aimed at better understanding the complexity of molecular biology and applying the imaging techniques in the human body. The ultimate goal is to better intervene with a personal treatment plan (personalized medicine).

In the MCT session, both Dr. Elvio Amato (KWR) and Dr. Bjorn Berendsen (WFSR) addressed the current topic of PFAS. They presented the analytical challenge to detect these compounds as they come in many forms, while the current focus is a small number of compounds. They have developed a suite of analytical approaches to comprehensively unravel the PFAS problem. Good to see how these researchers find each other and collaborate to overcome the challenges ahead. Interestingly, both researchers see that some yet less studied PFAS do occur often in the environment.

The morning was closed with a presentation by our former chairman, Prof. Dr. Willie Peijnenburg who presented a clear overview of how micro- and nanoplastics are formed in the environment. Once plastics are even below micrometre level, they can easily be taken up by organisms, including algae. Next, Willie showed that their lab has shown that Daphnids feeding on these algae may take up the plastics, showing some evidence for food transfer and signs of bioaccumulation.

In the afternoon, a series of presentation were given by PhD students. Starting with Viktoriia Turkina from UvA on the analyses and prediction of toxicity from NTS data. She is developing a prioritization strategy that focuses on the most relevant features based on aquatic toxicity categories, as well as MS fragmentation and chromatographic information of unknown features. After that, Wilco Nijenhuis from VUA presented on human exposure to micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs). Quantitative pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) has recently been used to quantify MNPs in human blood. However, in his presentation he showed how pyrolysis introduces complex effects, including potential secondary reactions between matrix compounds and polymers. Interesting work on a technique that is more and more widely used, not only in human tissue but also environmental samples as shown in the presentation of prof. dr. Peijenburg in the morning session.

Last, Michelle de Roo (WUR) presented on how PFAS end up in the soil, quite limited studied compared to water and food. She described how soils are made up from organic matter, Fe/Al hydroxides and clay minerals. These fractions interact differently with the varying PFAS molecules. She studies PFAS speciation, i.e. the partitioning between their different chemical forms in the water and the solid phase. Michelle presented some preliminary results that shows how PFAS interact to mineral surface properties and functional groups. Now, she will focus mainly on the targeted extraction techniques to identify as much as possible PFAS binding to various soil and organic matter fractions.

In all, environmental chemistry subjects were also visible in other sections. For example, our former board member Prof. Dr. Marja Lamoree was presenting her work on MNPs in human blood. Following her first publication on the discovery and quantification of microplastics in human blood in 2022, she has have taken a deep dive into robust and reliable quantification of MNPs by double shot pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry. In addition, she has investigated the influence of the choice of polymer standards for quantification and she presented on the determination of 6 polymer types in human blood.

Next, Merel Konings was the speaker on the plenary stage as winner of the Coast Student Innovation Award. She won ASTP student pitches. Here, she showed Stimulated Raman, Fluorescence and Deep UV analyses. With that, she is able to measure size and shape of thousands of microparticles in a short time. Her bachelor project is submitted as a paper and coming out soon.

In all, the field of analytical science is clearly alive shown by attention of many students of different schools and universities. For environmental science, good data is needed as mentioned by Prof. Dr. Ir. Peter Schoenmakers in his closing keynote speech. He clearly showed the many relevant and current topics and ever developing field of analytical science. At the closing drinks, the day ended while speakers and participants gathered and continued in discussions and potential future collaborations …

❗ More information on the conference website: https://www.analyticalsolutions.nl/.