Recent advances in sampling and sample preparation for effect-directed environmental analysis

Complex chemicals have been imposing adverse effects on the environment and organisms. Conventional chemical-based quantitative analysis may not comprehensively reveal the major contributors responsible for the adverse effects, such as nonregulated analysis of unknown chemicals. Effect-directed analysis (EDA) is a powerful approach to identify the contributors. Recent advancement in integration of various sampling and sample preparation strategies with EDA has improved identification of causative components in a sample. Various workflows of sampling, enrichment and fractionation in an integrated format or sequential and parallel steps are developed to shorten analysis time and increase resolution, sensitivity, throughput and coverage of analytes. Herein, we review recent advances in combination of sampling and sample preparation techniques with EDA to study toxic chemicals in sediment, water, biota, and other environmental compartments. The current status and experience lead to discussion on the existing challenges, perspectives for future research development and applications in this field. • Sampling, enrichment and fractionation strategies play vital roles in EDA. • Recent innovations in sampling and sample preparation approaches for EDA of different environmental samples are summarized. • Existing challenges and perspectives for future research developments are discussed.