On-line SPE-LC/MS/MS to Detect Organonitrogen and Triazine Pesticides at 10 ng/L in Drinking Water

Monitoring water for pesticides requires sensitive and robust methods suitable for a broad range of compounds, and current UK legislation limits permissible levels of pesticides in drinking water to 100 ng/L. This study investigated the feasibility of on-line solid phase extraction (SPE) coupled to liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) to detect organonitrogen and triazine pesticides at concentrations of 10 ng/L in drinking water. Sensitivity, reproducibility, linearity and recovery in tap water samples and water samples spiked with humic acid were investigated to evaluate sample preparation efficiency and possible matrix effects.