Analysis of Phenoxycarboxylic Acids and Other Acidic Compounds in Tap,Ground, Surface and Sewage Water at the Low ng/1 Level

Abstract

Solid-phase extraction with RP-C18 phase has been successfully applied for the determination of more than 30 acidic herbicides and related compounds from environmental water samples. Detection of these contaminants was performed after pentafluorobenzylation at the low ng per liter level using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. With multiple-component SIM programming simultaneous detection of all compounds in one single gas chromatographic run was possible.

Increased reliability of acidic herbicide analysis from water samples with high matrix content was achieved by using a surrogate as well as an internal standard. 2-(4-chlorophenoxy) butyric acid, being a structural isomer of clofibric acid and mecoprop, was chosen as surrogate standard because cloflbric acid was found to be a widespread contaminant in environmental water samples from the Berlin area. Mecoprop, dichlorprop and 1-naphthylacetic acid were also found in field studies of some of these samples. A few examples of positive findings in tap, ground, surface and sewage water samples are presented.     

Multiresidue Analysis of Pesticides in Water from Rice Cultures by On-line Solid Phase Extraction Followed by LC-DAD

Abstract

An automated on-line solid phase extraction procedure followed by liquid chromatography with diode array detection was investigated for the determination of different classes of pesticides in water samples containing varied amount of humic substances. The different pesticides used were: carbendazin, carbofuran, atrazine, diuron, propanil, molinate, alachlor, parathion-ethyl, diazinon, trifluralin and the degradation products deisopropylatrazine and deethylatrazine. Humic substances extracted from a Brazilian sediment were used from 5 to 80 mg/l and their influence on recoveries was evaluated in neutral and acidic media. Recoveries higher than 70% were obtained for all the pesticides, from the preconcentration of 75 ml of aqueous sample fortified at 2 ng/ml using precolumns packed with PLRP-S. Good recoveries were obtained at neutral pH for most of the analytes up to 40 mg/l of humic acid. Only at 80 mg/l the recoveries were significantly affected, both at acidic and neutral pH. The method was applied to the determination of pesticides in river water spiked at 0.1 to 1 ng/ml. Detection limits obtained for water containing 10 mg/l of humic acid were between 0.05 and 0.3 ng/ml.     

Dispersive solid-phase extraction based on mesoporous melamine-formaldehyde polymer for sensitive determination of five chlorinated herbicides residues in water by high-performance liquid chromatography

ABSTRACT

In this work, a low-cost melamine-formaldehyde polymer with large-surface-area mesoporous structure was prepared and applied as an efficient solid sorbent for pre-concentration of five kinds of chlorinated herbicides including fomesafen, atrazine, pyrithiobac-sodium, benazolin and acifluorfene from water samples. Extraction parameters such as pH of the sample solution, amount of mesoporous melamine-formaldehyde polymer (mMFP), extraction time, type of desorption solv-ent and volume of the sample were systematically investigated. Combining dispersive solid-phase extraction with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the detection limits (S/N = 3) of the five herbicides were ranged from 0.04 to 0.18 μg L^?1 with good linearity (R² ≥ 0.9908). Then the tap water and river water samples were analysed by the developed method, and the obtained results indicated that this method provides acceptable recoveries and precisions. mMFP can be prepared through one-pot catalyst-free polymerisation from low-cost starting materials, so that they could be easily scaled up for the sample pre-treatment and have the powerful potentiality in purification of contaminated water.     

Sensitive and Selective Fluorescence Detection of Phenoxyacid Herbicides by Liquid Chromatography with On-Line Ion-Pair Extraction

Abstract

Fluorescent probes, especially a newly synthesized N-substituted 1-cyanobenz[f]-isoindole quaternary ammonium fluorophore, were used as counter ions in a reaction detector for on-line ion-pair extraction of phenoxyacid herbicides. The probe was used in an on-line post-column set-up coupled to a reversed-phase chromatographic system. After separation on an C-8-bonded silica column using an aqueous methanol (pH 2.5) mobile phase, the herbicides were on-line deprotonated by post-column addition of a 10mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 8.0), in which the probe was dissolved. Subsequently, the ion-pairs were extracted on-line with chloroform-1-butanol (80:20, v/v) and were monitored by fluorescence detection. Using this system, at least seven herbicides could be separated. The detection limits of 2,4-dichlorophe xyacetic acid and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid were 400 pg (S/N = 3). The repeatability, based on peak height measurements, for 100ng injections was about 0.5%. Calibration curves were linear over the investigated range of 1–100ng, with correlation coefficients of 0.999 for the two analytes. Application to a drinking water sample is presented.     

Solid-Phase Extraction,Clean-pp and Liquid Chromatography for Routine Multiresidue Analysis of Neutral and Acidic pesticides In Natural Waters in One Run

Abstract

Solid-phase extraction using C₁₈ silica cartridges, liquid chromatography analysis and UV diode array detection were investigated for the routine trace-level determination of neutral pesticides over a wide range of polarity. Detection limits below the 0.1 μg/1 range were easily obtained in drinking water. If neutral and acidic pesticides over a wide range of polarity have to be determined in the same run, samples have to be acidified to obtain good recoveries of extraction. The effect of the sample matrix was studied and detection limits in the 0.1 μg/1 range were obtained in drinking water except for the more polar ones which are in the interfering peak of humic and fulvic acids. For surface water, a clean-up step using a Florisil cartridge has to be included in the procedure that allows detection limits in the range 0.05–0.3 μg/1.     

Supported Liquid Membrane Enrichment Studies of Natural Water Samples Applied to Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Triazine Herbicides

Abstract

A method for sample work-up and enrichment using Supported Liquid Membrane (SLM) and liquid chromatographic determination of triazine herbicides in natural waters was investigated. A porous PTFE membrane was impregnated with a water immiscible organic solvent, forming a barrier between two aqueous phases. With a flowing donor and a stagnant acceptor solution, an enrichment of the triazines was obtained. The various factors that influence the extraction efficiency and selectivity of the extraction procedure were experimentally studied. The obtained results were in good agreement with the developed theoretical model. The pH of the acceptor solution was found to be the critical limiting factor in obtaining higher extraction efficiencies and led to an extraction efficiency decrease with an increase in enrichment time. By increasing both the trapping capacity of the acceptor solution and the donor flow rate, the method detection limit of the triazines ranged from 0.03 to 0.16 μgL^?1 in natural waters with 20 minutes extraction time.     

Ionic‐liquid‐functionalized magnetic particles as an adsorbent for the magnetic SPE of sulfonylurea herbicides in environmental water samples

In this paper, a new ionic‐liquid‐functionalized magnetic material was prepared based on the immobilization of an ionic liquid on silica magnetic particles that could be successfully used as an adsorbent for the magnetic SPE of five sulfonylurea herbicides (bensulfuron‐methyl, prosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron‐ethyl, chlorimuron‐ethyl and triflusulfuron‐methyl) from environmental water samples. The main parameters affecting the extraction efficiency such as desorption conditions, sample pH, extraction time and so on, were optimized using the Taguchi method. Good linearities were obtained with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.9992 to 0.9999 in the concentration range of 0.1–50 μg L^?1 and the LODs were 0.053–0.091 μg L^?1. Under the optimum conditions, the enrichment factors of the method were 1155–1380 and the recoveries ranged from 77.8 to 104.4%. The proposed method was reliable and could be applied to the residue analysis of sulfonylurea herbicides in environmental water samples (tap, reservoir and river).     

Determination of Triazine Herbicides and Diuron in Mud from Olive Washing Devices and Soils Using Gas Chromatography with Selective Detectors

Abstract

In the present work, a method for the simultaneous determination of five herbicides, diuron, simazine, atrazine, terbuthylazine and terbutryn by GC‐electron capture detection (ECD) and GC‐thermoionic specific detector (TSD) in soil and mud samples (from olives washing devices) has been developed. Extraction of the herbicides from soil samples was carried out by liquid–solid extraction with ciclohexane/acetone under sonication. In addition, a clean‐up step by solid phase extraction (SPE) using alumina was necessary for mud samples to remove fat residues in the extracts. Spiked soil standards were used for calibration. Limit of detection (LOD) values ranged between 0.2–1.4 ng g^?1 and limit of quantitation (LOQ) between 1.4–2.0 ng g^?1. The precision of the method was satisfactory for all the herbicides analyzed, with RSD values ranging between 7.5%–32.3% and 8.5%–17.8% for 10 and 100 ng g^?1 spiking levels, respectively. The accuracy of the method was checked at three spiking levels (10, 50, and 100 ng g^?1) with recovery values ranging from 74.2%–129.1%. In the case of mud samples, mean recovery values (100 ng g^?1 spiking level) were acceptable for diuron (69.5%) and more satisfactory in the case of triazine herbicides (81.0%–123.0%). Diuron and terbuthylazine were the herbicides most frequently detected in the analyzed samples.     

Trace Analysis of 2,4,5, TP and other Acidic Herbicides in Wheat Using Multicolumn-HPLC

Abstract

In continuation of our work dealing with multicolumn HPLC (MC-HPLC) techniques and their applicabilities for tracing a few compounds out of complex multicomponent matrices a residue analysis of the herbicides 2,4,5T and MCPA (phenoxyacids) in wheat is described. A simple plant extract with aqueous basic buffer is loaded in quantities of several 100μl onto a strong anion exchanger (column 1, C1) performing extraction of the acidic compounds, while the neutral and cationic substances are cluted thus attaiming on-column trace enrichment. Via mobile phase selection (pH change) elution from C1 is possible, the fraction (zone-cut) containing the compounds of interest is transferred onto C2 (reversed phase, RP2 an RP 18) on which peak compression is performed followed by (step)gradient elution. Detection limits in the lower ppb range are routinely obtained. A MC-HPLC chromatographic setup separation of eleven acidic herbicides in a formulation is also shown.     

Multi-residue method for trace pesticide analysis in soils by LC-QQQ-MS/MS and its application to real samples

ABSTRACT

A method for the simultaneous determination of 30 pesticides residues in soil was developed and validated. Among the studied agrochemicals, there are herbicides (auxines, sulfonylureas, fops, imidazolinones), fungicides (azoles) and insecticides (organophosphorus) widely used in extensive agricultural activities in Uruguay. Five methods with different extraction times, type and amount of solvent, as well as the possibility of a clean-up step were compared in terms of percentage of recovery and repeatability. The final method was based on the extraction of the pesticides’ residues from soil using two successive solvent extraction steps. First, the soil was extracted with methanol in an orbital shaker for 4 h. Secondly, the solid residue was re-extracted overnight with ultrapure water. The methanolic extract was concentrated under vacuum, whereas the aqueous solution was passed through an OASIS HLB® cartridge, eluted with an appropriate solvent and concentrated under nitrogen stream. Both extracts were finally combined and analysed by LC-QQQ-MS/MS using the Document SANTE/11,945/2015 criteria. Recovery percentages at 1 and 10 μg kg^?1 for the studied compounds were in the range 70106% with relative standard deviations below 19 %. The quantification was performed using matrix-matched calibration curves as some compounds presented very strong signal suppression. Residuals of the matrix-matched calibration curves were below 20% for all the validated analytes. The quantification limit was1 μg kg^?1. The method also allows the screening of 11 pesticides in soil. Sixty-five real samples collected from regions where the use of pesticides is intensive were analysed. Quinclorac, tebuconazole, penoxsulam and clomazone were the most frequently pesticides detected.     

Isolation of Lipophilic Persistent Organic Pollutants From Human Breast Milk

Background: Lipid removal from biological samples can be achieved by addition of concentrated sulfuric acid. However, certain persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as chlorophenols are decomposed by sulfuric acid treatment and, thus, a more gentle lipid reduction method is needed for extraction of many environmental contaminants from biological samples. Membrane dialysis extraction (MDE) is a non-disruptive method to extract POPs from biological matrices.

Methods: Human breast milk samples were spiked with radiolabelled p,p′-dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane ([C-14]-DDT) as a POP proxy and extracted using solid phase extraction (SPE). The extracts obtained were dialyzed by MDE in low-density polyethylene tubings containing a mixture of n-hexane and dichloromethane for 24 h, 48 h, or 72 h.

Results: The lipid content was reduced by 86.2% after one dialysis cycle of 24 h using MDE, and 87.1% recovery of the [C-14]-DDT standard was obtained. The DDT recovery could be further increased up to 96.3% and 98.1% by repeating the dialyses for one or two more cycles, respectively. However, the increased [C-14]-DDT recovery includes a concomitant increase in lipid carryover from 13.8% with one dialysis cycle to 22.1% with three cycles.

Conclusion: An SPE procedure for extracting POPs from breast milk and dialytic conditions for isolation of the extracted POP with minimal lipid carryover was established. The method is nondestructive and acceptable recoveries can be obtained within a single solvent shift as demonstrated by spiking standards. The lipid carryover was minimized, and the method may be considered for lipid removal before HPLC or GC analysis of environmental contaminants.     

Development and application of methods using SPE,HPLC-DAD,LC-ESI-MS/MS and GFAAS for the determination of herbicides and metals in surface and drinking water

A preliminary study of the pollution in surface and drinking waters caused by herbicides and metals in the Municipal Water Supply System (CORSAN) in Rio Grande city, RS, Brazil, is reported. The occurrence of 5 herbicides and 9 metals was studied in surface and drinking water through the analysis of 2 sampling spots at CORSAN. The analytical determination was performed by solid-phase extraction (SPE), high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) for herbicides, and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) for metals. The concentrations of herbicides in the surface water were very low; however, the herbicide clomazone was detected in more than 50% of the samples analysed in concentration exceeding 1.0?µg L^?1. The concentration of metals was below the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) set by the Brazilian regulation.     

Determination of Ginsenoside Rg2 in Rat Plasma by High‐Performance Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry after Solid‐Phase Extraction

Abstract

A sensitive liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometric (LC/MS) method for the quantification of ginsenoside Rg2 (Rg2) in rat plasma was developed after solid‐phase extraction (SPE). Chromatographic separation was achieved on a reversed‐phase Kromasil C₁₈ column with the mobile phase of acetonitrile‐ammonium chloride (500 µM/L) and step gradient elution resulted in a total run time of about 9 min. The analytes were detected using electrospray negative ionization mass spectrometry in the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. A good linear relationship was obtained in the concentration range (5–2500 ng/mL) (r=0.9999). Limit of quantification (LOQ) was 5 ng/mL and the limit of detection (LOD) was 2 ng/mL using 100 µL plasma sample. Average recoveries ranged from 72.43–84.73% in plasma at the concentrations of 20, 200, and 2000 ng/mL. Intra‐ and interday coefficients of variation for the assay were 4.93–10.87% and 4.06–7.84%, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of ginsenoside Rg2 in rat plasma. The applicability of this assay was examined in a preliminary pharmacokinetic study of ginsenoside Rg2 in rats.     

Analysis of Pesticides in Water Samples Using GC-ECD and GC-MS/MS Techniques

Abstract

A pesticide multiresidue method for determining dichlorvos, naled. lindane, diazinon. chlorpyri-fos-methyl, dichlofluanid, chlorpyrifos, folpet, α– and β-endosulfan, endosulfan-sulphate, fen-propathrin and acrinathrin in water samples at the levels required by the EEC Drinking Waters Directive has been developed. The pesticides were selected among the most used during die last 20 years in Almeria (Spain), where there is a high agricultural activity. Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) was selected as extraction method after being compared with Liquid-Liquid Extraction (LLE). Moreover, different gas chromatographic detectors (Electron Capture Detector, ECD; Mass Spectrometer, MS; Tandem Mass Spectrometer, MS/MS) were compared. The best results of repeatability and sensitivity were obtained for ECD and MS/MS.     

High-performance liquid chromatography with paired ion electrospray ionization (PIESI) tandem mass spectrometry for the highly sensitive determination of acidic pesticides in water

A novel method based on the paired ion electrospray ionization (PIESI) mass spectrometry has been developed for determination of acidic pesticides at ultratrace levels in surface and ground waters. The proposed approach provides greatly enhanced sensitivity for acidic pesticides and overcomes the drawbacks of the less sensitive negative ion mode ESI-MS. The limits of detection (LODs) of 19 acidic pesticides were evaluated with four types of dicationic ion-pairing reagent (IPR) in both single ion monitoring (SIM) and selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. The LOD of 19 pesticides obtained with the use the optimal dicationic ion-pairing reagent ranged from 0.6 pg to 19 pg, indicating the superior sensitivity provided by this method. The transition pathways for different pesticide-IPR complexes during the collision induced dissociation (CID) were identified. To evaluate and eliminate any matrix effects and further decrease the detection limits, off-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) was performed for DI water and a river water matrix spiked with 2000 ng L⁻¹ and 20 ng L⁻¹ pesticides standards respectively, which showed an average percent recovery of 93%. The chromatographic separation of the acidic pesticides was conducted by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a C18 column (250 mm × 2.1 mm) in the reversed phase mode using linear gradient elution. The optimized HPLC–PIESI-MS/MS method was utilized for determination of acidic pesticide at ng L⁻¹ level in stream/pond water samples. This experimental approach is 1–3 orders of magnitude more sensitive for these analytes than other reported methods performed in the negative ion mode.     

Determination and quantitation of sulfonylurea and urea herbicides in water samples using liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometric detection

A multianalyte method has been developed for the confirmation and quantitation of five sulfonylureas, bensulfuron-methyl, imazosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron-ethyl, flazasulfuron and halosulfuron-methyl, and for three ureas, siduron, dymron (daimuron) and diuron (DCMU) in water. Samples were extracted from water by off-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) with a polystyrene polymer cartridge (PS2), an ODS C₁₈-bonded silica cartridge (C₁₈) and an N-vinylpyrrolidone polymer cartridge (Oasis). Analyte determination and quantitation were performed by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Extraction efficiency experiments demonstrated the ability of this method to extract sulfonylureas and ureas from water samples. Confirmatory analysis was carried out by LC-electrospray mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) instrumentation equipped with a single-quadrupole mass filter. MS data acquisition was performed by a single or two-ion selected ion monitoring (SIM) program. It is required for confirmation that LC-MS retention times of the analytes are within 1% of the retention times of the standards, and that the molecular ion or characteristic fragment ion is present for each analyte. Fragment ions from distinctive structures must be obtained to identify and characterize specific herbicide molecules. These were obtained by controlled decomposition of sulfonylurea and urea adduct ions after suitably adjusting the electrical field in the desolvation chamber. The eight herbicides were also measured in fortified pure water (water purified by a milli-Q system), tap water and river water. Average recoveries of the eight analytes from water samples were in the range of 70-120% with relative standard deviations (R.S.D.s) of <20%. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) for each of the eight herbicides was between 10 and 100 ng l⁻¹.     

Determination of Triazine Herbicides in Aqueous Samples Using Solidification of a Floating Drop for Liquid-Phase Microextraction with Liquid Chromatography

Abstract

A rapid, simple, and efficient liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) method coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet detection for the analysis of triazine herbicides was developed in this study. Under the optimum conditions, the enrichment factors and extraction recoveries were 33.0–72.6 and 11.2–23.2%, respectively. The detection limits (LODs) were in the range of 0.03–0.10 µg L^?1. The relative standard deviations for the determination of the triazine herbicides at μg L^?1 levels varied in the range 2.05–8.15%. The method was successfully applied in the determination of the triazine herbicides in aqueous samples with satisfactory results.     

A Review of Analytical Methods for Sulfonylurea Herbicides in Soil

Abstract

The sulfonylurea herbicides are a group of about twenty compounds used for the control of broad-leaved weeds and some grasses in cereal crops. These herbicides are non-volatile, and their water solubilities are pH dependent being greater in alkaline than in acidic solutions. Their soil adsorption is generally low, with leaching potential in alkaline field soils. Sulfonylurea herbicides are degraded in soils by both chemical and biochemical mechanisms. Chemical degradation is particularly important in acidic soils where herbicide degradation is considerably more rapid that in soils of pH > 7. Application rates in the order of 10 g ha^?1 necessitate analytical techniques capable of quantifying soil based residues in the sub μ kg^?1 levels. Analytical methodologies based on plant bioassays, and chemical extraction followed by gas chromatographic (GC), high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC), and enzyme immunoassay techniques are described and discussed.     

磁性石墨烯纳米粒子固相萃取与气相色谱-质谱相结合测定环境水样中的三嗪类除草剂

将磁性石墨烯作为磁性固相萃取的吸附剂与气相色谱-质谱(GC-MS)相结合建立了环境水样中7种三嗪类除草剂残留的测定新方法。对影响萃取效率的一些因素如吸附剂用量、萃取时间、样品溶液的pH值、离子强度和解吸条件等进行了优化。在优化的实验条件下,7种三嗪类除草剂的富集倍数在574~968之间。测定西玛津、扑灭津、嗪草酮、西草净、氰草津的线性范围为0.01~10.0 μg/L,莠去津的线性范围为0.05~10.0 μg/L,扑灭净的线性范围为0.01~8.0 μg/L。线性相关系数为0.9968~0.9998,检出限(S/N=3)为1.0~5.0 ng/L。将本方法应用于井水、自来水和湖水等实际水样的分析,在0.5 μg/L和2.0 μg/L下的加标回收率为79.8%~118.3%,相对标准偏差为3.6%~10.5%。该法操作简单、富集倍数高,可满足水样中三嗪类除草剂残留的检测要求。     

Magnetic polyethyleneimine functionalized reduced graphene oxide as a novel magnetic solid-phase extraction adsorbent for the determination of polar acidic herbicides in rice

A novel magnetic polyethyleneimine modified reduced graphene oxide (Fe₃O₄@PEI-RGO) had been fabricated based on a self-assemble approach between positive charged magnetic polyethyleneimine (Fe₃O₄@PEI) and negative charged GO sheets via electrostatic interaction followed by chemical reduction of GO to RGO. The as-prepared Fe₃O₄@PEI-RGO was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and zeta potential analysis, and then was successfully applied to determine four phenoxy acid herbicides and dicamba in rice coupled with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). As a surface modifier of RGO, PEI not only effectually affected the surface property of RGO (e.g. zeta potential), but also changed the polarity of RGO and offered anion exchange groups to polar acidic herbicides, which would directly influence the type of adsorbed analytes. Compared with Fe₃O₄@PEI, Fe₃O₄/RGO and Fe₃O₄@PEI-GO, the as-prepared Fe₃O₄@PEI-RGO, integrating the superiority of PEI and RGO, showed higher extraction efficiency for polar acidic herbicides. Besides, the adsorption mechanism was investigated as well. It turned out that electrostatic interaction and π-π interaction were considered to be two major driving force for the adsorption process. Response surface methodology (RSM), a multivariate experimental design technique, was used to optimize experimental parameters affecting the extraction efficiency in detail. Under the optimal conditions, a satisfactory performance was obtained. The calibration curves were linear over the concentration ranging from 2 to 300 ng g⁻¹ with correlation coefficients (r) between 0.9985 and 0.9994. The limits of detection (LODs) were in the range of 0.67–2 ng g⁻¹. The recoveries ranged from 87.41% to 102.52% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) less than 8.94%. Taken together, the proposed method was an efficient pretreatment and enrichment procedure and could be successfully applied for selective extraction and determination of polar acidic herbicides in complex matrices.