A SIMPLE QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL RECOVERY METHOD OF OXYFLUORFEN (2-CHLORO-1-(3-ETHOXY-4-NITROPHENOXY)-4-(TRIFLUOROMETHYL) (GOAL®)1 FROM LABORATORY FORTIFIED SOIL AND WATER SAMPLES

Abstract

Oxyfluorfen herbicide chemical extraction and analyses techniques from both soil and water are time consuming or/and require the use of HPLC. Our paper reports the results of a simple method for the extraction and gas chromatographic (GC) analyses in laboratory oxyfluorfen fortified soil and water samples. A representative field sample from a Byler silt loam (Typic fragiudalf, mixed, thermic) soil site was collected from the 0–10 cm depth, and appropriately air-dried and sieved (2-mm size). Soil had an organic matter (O.M.) content (Walkley Black) of 2% w/w, and pH of 6.5. The soil sample was fortified with 0.05 to 2.0 μg/g levels of oxyfluorfen herbicide, extracted (1:5 soil: acetonitrile), and directly injected into the HP 6890 gas chromatograph (μ-ECD detector). Deionized (DI) laboratory water samples were spiked at the 0.010 and 0.100 μg/mL levels. They were intermittently shaken by hand with n-hexane for 3 min., and the supernatant directly analyzed by GC. Quantitative recoveries of the herbicide in duplicate samples were obtained in both soil and water. Recovery percentage as well as GC response suggest that soil MDLs of at least 0.005 μg/g in soil are achievable. Organic solvent/water ratio does not appear to affect the recovery of oxyfluorfen from fortified water samples. However, the solvent exchange step in soil extraction can affect the oxyfluorfen recovery. These extraction techniques represent considerable savings in time and labor compared with traditional methods. *Oxyfluorfen; 2-chloro-1-(3-ethoxy-4-nitrophenoxy)-4-(trifluoromethyl) benzene, trade name Goal®, was obtained from the Rohm and Hass Company, Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, PA. 19105. Trade names and company names are mentioned with the understanding that no discrimination is intended nor endorsement implied.