Rapid Multi-Residue Method for Simultaneous Determination of 1,3,5-Triazine Herbicides in Environmental Samples by Capillary GC-MS-EI Selective Ion Monitoring Method

A new multi-residue method using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry electron ionization selective ion monitoring mode (SIM) has been developed for the simultaneous determination of eight 1,3,5-triazine herbicides such as 1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine (atrazine), ametryn, prometryn, propazine, terbuthylazine, terbutryn, and simazine simetryn in water and soil samples. Quantification is done using lindane (gamma benzene hexachloride) as an internal standard. A specific Capillary DB-Wax column of 30 m length, 0.32 mm internal diameter, and 0.25 & mu;m film thickness is used for the separation of eight 1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine. The method was applied for the determination of residues in groundwater and soil samples. The lowest detection limit by GC-MS-SIM (selective ion monitoring mode) is 0.1 pg/mL. Recovery in water samples is in the range of 93-103%, and in soil samples, 91-102% for different individual compounds. Forty-five groundwater and soil samples were collected in and around Kancheepuram district in Tamilnadu (India), and they were analyzed for the respective residues. A detailed discussion of the GC-MS analysis results has been presented.

Automated summary

A new multi-residue method using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry electron ionization selective ion monitoring mode (SIM) has been developed for the simultaneous determination of eight 1,3,5-triazine herbicides in water and soil samples. The method was applied for the determination of residues in groundwater and soil samples. The lowest detection limit by GC-MS-SIM is 0.1 pg/mL, and the recovery rates in water and soil samples are in the range of 93-103% and 91-102% respectively for different individual compounds.