Simultaneous determination of alachlor, bifenox and nitrofen as herbicides in lake, municipal wastewater and soil samples by gas chromatography mass spectrometry

Abstract

The benefits derived from pesticide usage is a worldwide phenomenon which has helped prevent food shortages and prevented deadly diseases. However, negative effects that have resulted from these very same chemicals has led to regulations and bans on some of them. This study was aimed at simultaneously determining three herbicides in lake, wastewater and soil samples by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The samples selected are very commonly contaminated by pesticide production and application, and they are important environmental resources that need to be preserved. The figures of merits determined for the analytes were appreciable. None of the analytes were detected in the samples (according to limits of detection) and spiked recovery tests were therefore performed to ascertain the amount of analytes that can be determined when present in the samples. The percent recoveries calculated for lake and wastewater spiked at two concentrations ranged between 90 – 104%. The spiked soil sample was extracted with acetonitrile and a blank soil extract was used to prepare matrix matched calibration standards. The percent recovery obtained using the matrix matching standards ranged between 92% and 99% for the three analytes.

Keywords

• Herbicides
• GC-MS
• Wastewater
• Lake water
• Soil

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