Analysis of carbamate and organophosphorus pesticide in agricultural irrigation water by Liquid Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

So far, the ultra-trace concentration of pesticide residues in environmental samples has challenged many analytical techniques, which are used to detect simultaneously organophosphorus and carbamate with various polarities. In this study, the OASIS-HLB column was modified by the reagent 1,8-Dihydroxy-2-(4-sulfophenylazo)naphthalene-3,6-disulfonic to enhance the retention of polar pesticides. Both real irrigation water and distilled water samples were applied to validate the determination method of ten carbamates and thirty-eight organophosphorus pesticides all together using LC-MS. According to the results, the linear interval of the method ranged from 1.0 to 100 µg/L, the detection limit was as low as 5.0 µg/L, the relative standard deviations presented less than 8.0%, and the recoveries were ranging between 60% and 112%. Moreover, in the irrigation water samples which were collected in both dry and rainy seasons in ten stations around the agricultural area, five compounds were found, including fenamiphos, terbufos, aldicarb, propoxur, and methiocarb. In the midst of those sampling areas, the Environmental Impact Quotient Field Use Rating of detected pesticide residues presented a high value - 272 at one station, which indicates a high risk for the surrounding environment as well as the local people’s health.