Multi-residue analytical method for uron and carbamate pesticides in water using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

A multi-residue analytical method for carbendazim, chlorotoluron, diuron, isoproturon, linuron and methiocarb in drinking water has been developed. It should also be applicable to ground and surface waters. The method uses solid-phase extraction with octadecyl-bonded silica cartridges followed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry under discharge-assisted thermospray ionisation. The method was found to provide satisfactory performance with respect to the requirements of the drinking water supply regulations in the U.K., with limits of detection of 0.04–0.05 μgl−1, relative standard deviations of better than 10% and recoveries of 99–116% at pesticide concentrations around the prescribed concentration (0.1 μgl−1 for single pesticides).