Determination of five sulfonylurea herbicides in environmental waters and soil by ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry after extraction using graphene

A fast and novel analytical method was developed for the determination of trace levels of sulfonylurea herbicides in water and soil samples. Graphene was used as a sorbent for extraction, and ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry was used for quantification. Five sulfonylurea herbicides were preconcentrated from water samples using a graphene‐loaded packed cartridge, while extraction from soil samples was performed in a single step using graphene‐supported matrix solid‐phase dispersion. Under the optimized conditions, the calibration plots were linear in the range between 5 and 1000 ng/L for water samples, and between 1 and 200 ng/g for soil samples. All correlation coefficients (R) were >0.99. The limits of detection for water and soil samples were 0.28–0.53 ng/L and 0.08–0.26 ng/g, respectively. This method was successfully applied to the analysis of spiked samples of environmental water and soil, with recoveries ranging from 84.2–109.3 and 86.12–103.2%, respectively, all with relative standard deviations of <10%.     

Glass slides functionalized by 1‐carboxyethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride for the determination of triazine herbicides in rice using high‐performance liquid chromatography

A novel and simple supported ionic‐liquid‐based solid‐phase extraction method for the determination of triazine herbicides in rice was developed. Glass slides were functionalized by an ionic liquid, 1‐carboxyethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride, and were used for the simultaneous extraction of seven triazine herbicides in rice samples. The effects of the type of extraction solvent, the extraction time, the type and volume of loading solvent, and the type of eluting solvent on the extraction efficiency were investigated and optimized. Under the optimum operation conditions, the limits of detection for seven triazine herbicides in rice samples obtained by high‐performance liquid chromatography were 3.16–5.42 ng/g, which were lower than the maximum residue levels established by various organizations. The linear correlation coefficients were higher than 0.9975 in the concentration range of 0.015–1.08 μg/g for the seven triazine herbicides. The recoveries of the seven triazine herbicides at the two concentration levels of 0.15 and 0.45 μg/g are between 82.47 and 104.21%, with relative standard deviations of 0.69–9.19%. The intra‐ and inter‐day (n = 5) precisions for all triazine herbicides at the spiked level of 0.30 μg/g were 1.72–11.71%.     

Multiresidue pesticide analysis of fruits by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS–MS) has been used for screening and quantification of 32 pesticides and metabolites in two fruit matrices. The compounds investigated belonged to different chemical families of insecticides, acaricides, fungicides, and herbicides; several metabolites were also included. Quantification was conducted using matrix-matched standards calibration; response was a linear function of concentration in the range tested (10–500 ng mL⁻¹). The method was validated with blank samples of lemon and raisin spiked at 0.01 and 0.1 mg kg⁻¹, and recoveries were satisfactory, between 70 and 110%, for most of the pesticides tested and relative standard deviations were below 15% (n = 5 at each spiking level). Excellent sensitivity resulted in limits of detection for all compounds well below 0.01 mg kg⁻¹, with the limit of quantification being validated at 0.01 mg kg⁻¹. The UPLC system generates narrow peaks (approx. 5 s), thus increasing peak height and improving sensitivity. This improved separation efficiency facilitates adequate resolution not only of the analytes but also of matrix interferences compared with conventional HPLC. The method developed could also resolve some geometric isomers. The main advantage of this approach is the high sample throughput achieved because of the short analysis time, which enables satisfactory separation of all the compounds in less than 5 min per sample.     

Trace analysis of tetracycline antibiotics in human urine using UPLC–QToF mass spectrometry

A rapid, sensitive and specific ultra-performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC–QToF-MS) method has been developed and validated for simultaneous determination of three tetracyclines (TCs) including oxytetracycline, tetracycline, and chlortetracycline in human urine. Human urine sample preparation involves pH adjustment to 4 with hydrochloric acid, pre-concentration, and cleanup by solid phase extraction (SPE) process. The chromatographic separation of all TCs was achieved in less than 5 min using UPLC and ESI-QToF-MS was successfully employed for the identification and quantification. The accurate masses of the product ions were calculated using lock mass correction, and were deviated from the theoretical masses by 0.5–1.9 mDa and 1.1–4.5 ppm, respectively. The developed method was validated in terms of linearity, sensitivity, selectivity, decision limit, detection capability, accuracy, and precision. Limit of detection and limit of quantitation for all TCs were estimated in the range of 0.089–0.138 ng mL^{− 1} and 0.294–0.455 ng mL^{− 1}, respectively. High overall recoveries of greater than 90% were achieved with linear responses over the 0.5–2 ng mL^{− 1} range for all TCs in urine samples.     

超高效液相色谱-同位素稀释高分辨质谱法测定红葡萄酒中的18种农药残留

建立了采用超高效液相色谱-同位素稀释高分辨质谱法同时快速测定红葡萄酒中18种农药残留的方法。样品采用乙腈提取,以N-丙基乙二胺（PSA）和C₁₈作为吸附剂的分散固相萃取法（d-SPE）进行净化,以BEH C₁₈色谱柱进行色谱分离,分别通过高分辨质谱的全扫描/实时二级质谱扫描（full scan/ddms²）和目标选择离子监测（targeted SIM,tSIM）模式进行定性筛查和定量检测。以多菌灵-D₄、毒死蜱-D₁₀、吡虫啉-D₄、甲氧虫酰肼-D₉、嘧霉胺-D₅和戊唑醇-D₆为内标进行内标法定量,有效地降低了样品基质的影响。待测物在0.5~50 μg/L范围内呈良好的线性关系,相关系数（r）大于0.999。18种农药残留的检出限（LOD）为0.5 μg/kg,定量限（LOQ）为1.0 μg/kg。空白红葡萄酒样品在1~40 μg/kg范围内的4个加标水平的平均回收率为85.4%~117.9%,相对标准偏差为0.5%~6.1%。应用该方法对市售的红葡萄酒样品进行检测,共检出多菌灵、吡虫啉、嘧霉胺、戊唑醇和三唑醇5种农药残留,含量分别为2.6~143.0 μg/kg、0.6~0.9 μg/kg、2.1~3.1 μg/kg、0.6~3.0 μg/kg和0.6 μg/kg。该方法适用于红葡萄酒中农药残留的快速筛查和定量检测。     

QuEChERS-超高效液相色谱串联质谱法同时测定土壤中5种常用除草剂

建立了超高效液相色谱串联质谱法(UPLC-MS/MS)简单、快速、灵敏、准确地同时测定土壤中5种常用除草剂多残留量的方法。样品经改进的QuEChERS(快速、简单、廉价、高效、灵活和安全)方法一步完成萃取净化,未使用缓冲盐溶液,经乙腈萃取,N-丙基乙二胺(PSA)和C18吸附剂填料净化,离心后直接过膜上机检测,萃取和净化的效果满足检测要求。UPLC-MS/MS方法采用Waters ACQUITY UPLCTMBEH C18(50 mm×2.1 mm i.d.,1.7 mm)色谱柱,柱温30℃,流动相为甲醇和水,梯度洗脱,流速0.25 mL/min,电喷雾电离源正离子(ESI+)多反应监测(MRM)模式检测,外标法定量。5种常用除草剂在0.5~200 mg/L范围内线性关系良好,相关系数为0.9947~0.9984。在4和40 mg/kg水平下的平均加标回收率为75.4%~98.5%;相对标准偏差为3.2%~11.8%;方法的检出限(S/N=3)为0.005~0.020 mg/kg,定量限(S/N=10)为0.017~0.067 mg/kg。     

Rapid determination of amide herbicides in environmental water samples with dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction prior to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

This paper describes a novel, simple and environmentally friendly method for rapid determination of the amide herbicides metoalchlor, acetochlor, and butachlor. It is based on dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Factors that may influence the enrichment efficiency, such as type and volume of extraction solvent, type and volume of dispersive solvent, extraction time, and content of NaCl, were investigated and optimized in detail. Under the optimum conditions, the limits of detection of metoalchlor, acetochlor, and butachlor were 0.02, 0.04, and 0.003 μg L⁻¹, respectively. The experimental results indicated that there was linearity over the range 0.1–50 μg L⁻¹ and good reproducibility with relative standard deviations over the range 1.6–3.0% (n = 5). The proposed method has been applied for the analysis of real-world water samples, and satisfactory results were achieved. Average recoveries of spiked herbicides were in the range 80.3–108.8%. All of these indicated that the developed method would be an efficient method for simultaneous determination of the three herbicides in environmental water samples.     

Quantitative analysis of poly- and perfluoroalkyl compounds in water matrices using high resolution mass spectrometry: Optimization for a laser diode thermal desorption method

An alternative analysis technique for the quantitation of 15 poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in water matrices is reported. Analysis time between each sample was reduced to less than 20 s, all target molecules being analyzed in a single run with the use of laser diode thermal desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (LDTD/APCI) coupled with high resolution accurate mass (HRMS) orbitrap mass spectrometry. LDTD optimal settings were investigated using either one-factor-at-a-time or experimental design methodologies, while orbitrap parameters were optimized simultaneously by means of a Box–Behnken design. Following selection of an adequate sample concentration and purification procedure based on solid-phase extraction and graphite clean-up, the method was validated in an influent wastewater matrix. Environmentally significant limits of detection were reported (0.3–4 ng L⁻¹ in wastewater and 0.03–0.2 ng L⁻¹ in surface water) and out of the 15 target analytes, 11 showed excellent accuracies (±20% of the target values) and recovery rates (75–125%). The method was successfully applied to a selection of environmental samples, including wastewater samples in 7 locations across Canada, as well as surface and tap water samples from the Montreal region, providing insights into the degree of PFAS contamination in this area.     

One‐step synthesized magnetic MIL‐101(Cr) for effective extraction of triazine herbicides from rice prior to determination by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry

The magnetic metal‐organic framework MIL‐101(Cr) material‐based solid‐phase extraction method coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry was applied to extract seven triazine herbicides in rices. Fe₃O₄/MIL‐101(Cr) was synthesized using reduction‐precipitation method, in which steps including pre‐synthesis and modification of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were by‐passed. Various parameters including extraction solvent type and volume, ultrasonic extraction time, amount of Fe₃O₄/MIL‐101(Cr) microspheres, adsorption time, desorption volume and time were investigated. Under optimal conditions, the proposed method had the limit of detection (S/N = 3) and the limit of quantification (S/N = 10) of 1.08–18.10 and 3.60–60.20 pg/g, respectively. Relative standard deviations calculated for all herbicides with concentrations of 2 and 20 ng/g were in the range of 0.5 to 13% (n = 3). In addition, at the two above‐mentioned concentrations, the method achieved relative recoveries percentages of 79.3 to 116.7% when applied to determine the triazine herbicides in real samples spiked. This rapid, green, non‐polluting, pre‐concentrated extraction method was successfully developed and applied to analyze herbicides in rice samples.     

Assisted inhibition effect of acetylcholinesterase with n-octylphosphonic acid and application in high sensitive detection of organophosphorous pesticides by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization Fourier transform mass spectrometry

A simple and practical approach to improve the sensitivity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-inhibited method has been developed for monitoring organophosphorous (OP) pesticide residues. In this work, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization Fourier transform mass spectrometry (MALDI-FTMS) was used to detect AChE activity. Due to its good salt-tolerance and low sample consumption, MALDI-FTMS facilitates rapid and high-throughput screening of OP pesticides. Here we describe a new method to obtain low detection limits via employing external reagents. Among candidate compounds, n-octylphosphonic acid (n-Octyl-PA) displays assistant effect to enhance AChE inhibition by OP pesticides. In presence of n-Octyl-PA, the percentages of AChE inhibition still kept correlation with OP pesticide concentrations. The detection limits were improved significantly even by 10²–10³ folds in comparison with conventional enzyme-inhibited methods. Different detection limits of OP pesticides with different toxicities were as low as 0.005 μg L⁻¹ for high toxic pesticides and 0.05 μg L⁻¹ for low toxic pesticides. Besides, the reliability of results from this method to analyze cowpea samples had been demonstrated by liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). The application of this commercial available assistant agent shows great promise to detect OP compounds in complicated biological matrix and broadens the mind for high sensitivity detection of OP pesticide residues in agricultural products.     

Rapid residue analysis of four triazolopyrimidine herbicides in soil, water, and wheat by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive and effective method for simultaneous determination of triazolopyrimidine sulfonamide herbicide residues in soil, water, and wheat was developed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The four herbicides (pyroxsulam, flumetsulam, metosulam, and diclosulam) were cleaned up with an off-line C18 SPE cartridge and detected by tandem mass spectrometry using an electrospray ionization source in positive mode (ESI+). The determination of the target compounds was achieved in <2.0 min. The limits of detection were below 1 μg kg⁻¹, while the limits of quantification did not exceed 3 μg kg⁻¹ in different matrices. Quantitation was determined from calibration curves of standards containing 0.05–100 μg L⁻¹ with r ² > 0.997. Recovery studies were conducted at three spiked levels (0.2, 1, and 5 μg kg⁻¹ for water; 5, 10, and 100 μg kg⁻¹ for soil and wheat). The overall average recoveries for this method in water, soil, wheat plants, and seeds at three levels ranged from 75.4% to 106.0%, with relative standard deviations in the range of 2.1–12.5% (n = 5) for all analytes.     

Rapid and sensitive detection of the phenoxy acid herbicides in environmental water samples by magnetic solid‐phase extraction combined with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Phenoxy acid herbicides are widely used herbicides that play an important role in improving the yield and quality of crops. However, some research has shown that this kind of herbicide is poisonous to human and animals. In this study, a rapid and sensitive method was developed for the detection of seven phenoxy acid herbicides in water samples based on magnetic solid‐phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Magnetic amino‐functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes were prepared by mixing bare magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles with commercial amino‐functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes in water. Then the amino‐functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes were used to enrich phenoxy acid herbicides from water samples based on hydrophobic and ionic interactions. The effects of experimental variables on the extraction efficiency have been studied in detail. Under the optimized conditions, the method validation was performed. Good linearities for seven phenoxy acid herbicides were obtained with squared regression coefficients ranging from 0.9971 to 0.9989. The limits of detection ranged from 0.01 to 0.02 μg/L. The method recoveries of seven phenoxy acid herbicides spiked at three concentration levels in a blank sample were from 92.3 to 103.2%, with inter‐ and intraday relative standard deviations less than 12.6%.     

Optimized cleanup method for the determination of short chain polychlorinated n-alkanes in sediments by high resolution gas chromatography/electron capture negative ion-low resolution mass spectrometry

The performances of three adsorbents, i.e. silica gel, neutral and basic alumina, in the separation of short chain polychlorinated n-alkanes (sPCAs) from potential interfering substances such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides were evaluated. To increase the cleanup efficiency, a two-step cleanup method using silica gel column and subsequent basic alumina column was developed. All the PCB and organochlorine pesticides could be removed by this cleanup method. The very satisfying cleanup efficiency of sPCAs has been achieved and the recovery in the cleanup method reached 92.7%. The method detection limit (MDL) for sPCAs in sediments was determined to be 14 ng g⁻¹. Relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) of 5.3% was obtained for the mass fraction of sPCAs by analyzing four replicates of a spiked sediment sample. High resolution gas chromatography/electron capture negative ion–low resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/ECNI–LRMS) was used for sPCAs quantification by monitoring [M−HCl]⁻ ions. When applied to the sediment samples from the mouth of the Daliao River, the optimized cleanup method in conjunction with HRGC/ECNI–LRMS allowed for highly selective identifications for sPCAs. The sPCAs levels in sediment samples are reported to range from 53.6 ng g⁻¹ to 289.3 ng g⁻¹. C₁₀- and C₁₁-PCAs are the dominant residue in most of investigated sediment samples.     

高效液相色谱-线性离子阱/静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱筛查和确证纺织品中的致癌染料

建立了高效液相色谱-线性离子阱/静电场轨道阱高分辨质谱(HPLC-LTQ/Orbitrap MS)筛查和确证生态纺织品中致癌染料的方法。样品在水浴(95 ℃)中用吡啶/水(1/1, v/v)振荡(150 r/min)提取,上清液过聚四氟乙烯(PTFE)滤膜后,CAPCELL PAK C₁₈色谱柱(100 mm×2.0 mm, 5 μm)分离,以乙腈和5 mmol/L乙酸铵水溶液(含0.01%甲酸)、乙腈和5 mmol/L乙酸铵水溶液分别作为正、负电喷雾离子化(ESI)模式的色谱流动相梯度洗脱。在m/z 200~800范围内进行一级质谱全扫描。以准分子离子峰的精确质量数和提取的色谱图峰面积进行筛查分析和定量,以保留时间和数据依赖扫描(data-dependent scan)模式获得的子离子质谱图进行定性确证。9种染料的质量准确度小于5×10^-6(5 ppm),线性良好,相关系数大于0.99,方法检出限为0.125~25 mg/kg。3个添加水平的回收率范围为62.13%~116.28%,相对标准偏差小于15%。应用该方法检测了棉、涤纶及混纺纤维等20余件纺织品样品中的致癌染料残留。该方法准确、可靠。     

Microextraction by packed sorbent liquid chromatography with time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry of triazines employing a molecularly imprinted polymer†

Molecularly imprinted polymers for the determination of triazines were synthesized by precipitation using atrazine as template, methacrylic acid as functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as crosslinker, and 2,2′‐azobisisobutrynitrile as initiator. The polymers were characterized by infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy and packed in a device for microextraction by packed sorbent aiming for the preconcentration/cleanup of herbicides, such as atrazine, simazine, simetryn, ametryn, and terbutryn in corn samples. Liquid chromatography coupled with time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry was used for the separation and determination of the herbicides. The selectivity coefficient of molecularly imprinted polymers was compared with that of nonimprinted polymer for the binary mixtures of atrazine/propanil and atrazine/picloram, and the values obtained were 15.6 and 2.96, respectively. The analytical curve ranged from 10 to 80 μg/kg (r = 0.989) and the limits of detection and quantification in the corn matrices were 3.3 and 10 μg/kg, respectively. Intra‐ and interday precisions were < 14.8% and accuracy was better than 90.9% for all herbicides. Polymer synthesis was successfully applied to the cleanup and preconcentration of triazines from fortified corn samples with 91.1–109.1% of recovery.     

Simultaneous determination of multiclass plant growth regulators in fruits using the quick,easy, cheap,effective, rugged,and safe method and ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry

In this study, a modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe method combined with ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry was developed for the multiclass determination of 28 plant growth regulators in various fruits. Different extraction solvents and adsorbents, including primary secondary amine, octadecylsilyl, graphitized carbon black, and zirconia‐based sorbent, were investigated. Internal calibration and isotope internal standards, chlormequat chloride‐d₄, mepiquat chloride‐d₆, indole‐3‐acetic acid‐d₂, and forchlorfenuron‐d₅ were used to improve accuracy. For method validation, good linearity, low limits of detection and quantification were obtained. At three spiked concentrations (10, 50, and 100 µg/kg), satisfactory recoveries with relative standard deviations of 2.4–17.5% were obtained for strawberries (75.2–119.8%), grapes (70.5–114.0%), tangerines (71.7–115.4%), apples (72.7–115.4%), and kiwi fruits (71.7–119.2%). Samples analysis revealed that 15.6% of the samples (n = 96) were contaminated with one or two kinds of plant growth regulators, including chlormequat chloride, forchlorfenuron, paclobutrazol, 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2‐diethylaminoethyl hexanoate, and mepiquat chloride. Similar results were obtained by ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, indicating the robustness, effectiveness, and suitability of the developed method for routine monitoring of plant growth regulator residues in fruits.     

Ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry determination of lipid peroxidation biomarkers in newborn serum samples

Byproducts of arachidonic (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) oxidation are highly relevant for the study of free radical associated conditions in the perinatal period. Plasma metabolites can provide the clinician with a snapshot of the oxidant status of patients before and after specific clinical interventions (e.g.: supplementation with oxygen). We describe a new andreliable ultra-performance liquid mass spectrometry method to determine F2-isoprostanes and other byproducts (isoprostanes, isofurans, neuroprostanes, neurofurans) in newborn serum samples. Cord blood samples were obtained from severely depressed newborn infants (Apgar score 1 min < 3; arterial cord pH < 7.00), and aliquoted for serum determination and stored at −80 °C. A UHPLC-MS/MS method was employed. It has a series of technical advantages: simple sample treatment; reduced sample volume (100 μL) which is essential for preterm neonates with low circulating blood volume, high throughput of sample analysis (96 samples in less than 24 h) and high selectivity for different isoprostanes isomers. Excellent sensitivity was achieved within limits of detection between 0.06 and 4.2 nmol L⁻¹, which renders this method suitable to monitoranalyte concentration in newborn samples. The method's precision was satisfactory; with coefficients of variation around 5–12% (intra-day) and 7–17% (inter-day). The reliability of the described method was assessed by analysis of spiked serum samples obtaining recoveries between 70% and 120%. The proposed method has rendered suitable for serum determination for newborn babies at risk of oxygen free radical associated conditions.     

Ion-trap versus quadrupole for analysis of quaternary ammonium herbicides by LC-MS

Summary An ion-trap mass spectrometer for determination of quaternary ammonium herbicides in water samples is evaluated. Implementation of the method previously optimized in a quadrupole mass spectrometer (VG Platform II) in an ion-trap (LCQ) required modifications to the sample inlet of the electrospray source. Quality parameters were established and detection limits, after trace enrichment, range 5–50 ng L⁻¹. Good reproducibilities (day-to-day and run-to-run) <12% were obtained. The method was applied to analysis of spiked samples and the results were comparable with those determined using a quadrupole mass spectrometer.     

Liquid-phase microextraction with in-drop derivatization combined with microvolume fluorospectrometry for free and hydrolyzed formaldehyde determination in textile samples

A novel approach for preconcentration and speciation analysis of trace amount of mercury from water samples was proposed by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) coupled to high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). Mercury species (Hg²⁺, methylmercury (MeHg⁺) and phenylmercury (PhHg⁺)) were complexed with dithizone (DZ) to form hydrophobic chelates and then extracted into the fine drops of extraction solvent dispersed in the aqueous sample by dispersive solvent. After extraction, the sedimented phase was analyzed by HPLC-DAD. Some important parameters affecting the DLLME such as extraction solvent and dispersive solvent type and volume, concentration of dithizone solution, sample pH, extraction time and salt effect were investigated. Ionic liquid 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([HMIM][PF₆]) was found to be a suitable extractant for the chelates. Under the optimized conditions (extraction solvent: 70 μL of ionic liquid 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([HMIM][PF₆]); dispersive solvent: 0.75 mL of methanol containing dithizone (0.02%, m/v); pH: 4; extraction time: 5 min; and without salt addition), the limits of detection for Hg²⁺, MeHg⁺ and PhHg⁺ were 0.32, 0.96 and 1.91 μg L⁻¹ (S N⁻¹ = 3) respectively, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was between 4.1 and 7.3% (n = 5). Three real water samples (tap water, river water and lake water) spiked with mercury species were detected by the developed method, and the relative recoveries obtained for Hg²⁺, MeHg⁺ and PhHg⁺ were 89.6–101.3%, 85.6–102.0% and 81.3–97.6%, respectively.     

Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes as SPE Adsorbents for Simultaneous Determination of Seven Sulfonylurea Herbicides in Environmental Water by LC–MS–MS

An effective and rapid method was developed for simultaneous determination of seven sulfonylurea herbicides in environmental water using multiwalled carbon nanotubes as solid-phase extraction sorbent coupled with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Important parameters influencing the extraction efficiency such as pH of the sample solution, flow rate of sample loading, the eluent and its volume were optimized. Under optimum conditions, good linearity was obtained for all herbicides (r ² > 0.99) over the range of 0.05–5,000 ng L^?1, and precisions (RSD) for nine replicate measurements of a standard mixture of 200 ng L^?1 were 1.9–7.4%. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.01–0.20 and 0.05–1.00 ng L^?1, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of tap water, spring water, ground water and well water, and mean recoveries for seven analytes at three spiked concentration levels were from 81.5 to 110.5% with RSDs between 0.3 and 7.0%. The results showed that the established method has wide application to analyze sulfonylurea herbicides at trace level in water.