USE OF SOLID-PHASE MICROEXTRACTION IN ANALYSIS OF PESTICIDES IN SOIL

Helena Prosen, Lucija Zupanèiè-Kralj Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, Aškerèceva 5, SLO-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

ABSTRACT

Residues of pesticides and their degradation products in soil present a serious problem for crops, soil organisms and humans. For isolation of this type of compounds solid-phase microextraction (SPME) could be used in combination with conventional extraction method. This modern separation method was optimized for extraction of organochlorine and triazine pesticides from soil samples. Analytes were desorbed from the fiber in the injector of a gas chromatograph and determined by either electron capture or mass spectrometric detection. Linearity and limits of detection were tested in the 0.1 – 20.0 ng/g range for organochlorines and 10 – 100 ng/g range for triazines. The method presented could be used for screening of pesticides in contaminated soil samples and offers a simple alternative to established methods of pesticide analysis in soil.