Pesticides Analysis in Soil

Pesticide residues testing in soil, solids, sediment, and sewage is increasingly complex as target compound lists grow and detection limits lower around the world. Traditionally, many regulatory methods focus on single-residue or single-class pesticide analysis using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). For example, in the US, organochlorine pesticide analysis is often performed following protocols from the US EPA Contract Laboratory Program (CLP). Organochlorine pesticides are common targets because they are persistent in soil or sediment and can affect water sources. Laboratories following CLP protocols (EPA SW-846 Test Method 8081) for organochlorine pesticides analysis require robust, high-throughput methods of analysis, and minimized costs. The method specifies GC dual column confirmation with dual electron capture detection (ECD), with requirements for inertness that are measured by degradation of endrin and DDT. For decades, Agilent GC and column solutions have offered comprehensive workflows for this analysis.

GC- and liquid chromatography (LC)-based MS (GC/MS and LC/MS) methods, including triple quadrupole (TQ) and quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF) technologies, are increasingly used for multi-residue pesticide analysis because of their comparatively higher sensitivity and selectivity compared to GC/ECD. In addition, GC/Q-TOF and LC/Q-TOF methods increase the scope of analysis beyond targeted methods to include qualitative pesticide profiling. Agilent offers a wide range of GC and LC-based solutions for pesticides analysis, including compound databases and libraries like MRM Libraries for TQ systems and the Agilent Personal Compound Database and Library (PCDL) for Q-TOF systems, along with a full selection of columns and supplies. When integrated into complete solutions, you can achieve rapid analysis and reproducibly high performance for your most difficult samples.

If you have questions about pesticides testing applications or would like to be contacted by an Agilent representative, let us know below.

Application Note

• Rapid Separation of Paraquat and Diquat using Hydrophilic Interaction Chromatography (HILIC) with LC/MS Detection

Visit our Contact page to connect with an Agilent representative.  You can also sign up to receive the latest information from Agilent related to environmental testing applications, including educational events, webinars, products and more.

DE86374832