The determination of a carbamate insecticide in soil samples by differential pulse polarography

Differential pulse polarography is shown to be a simple and potentially useful method for monitoring the degradation of a carbamate insecticide (Bendiocarb; 2,3-isopropyli-denedioxyphenyl-N-methylcarbamate) in soil samples. Only extraction from the soil sample with dichloromethane and evaporation of the extract is needed prior to polarography. Calibration plots were linear over the range 10–50 mg l^?1 at ?0.94 V vs. Ag/AgCl in an acetate buffer of pH 5.0. There is no apparent interference from hydrolysis products or soil components.