Analysis of the plant growth regulator chlormequat in soil and water by means of liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, pressurised liquid extraction, and solid-phase extraction

• Published in: Journal of Chromatography A Vol. 1216; no. 12; pp. 2504 - 2510
• Main Authors: Henriksen, Trine, Juhler, René K., Brandt, Gyrite, Kjær, Jeanne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 20-03-2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Analysis methods; Analytical chemistry; Applied sciences; Chemistry; Chlormequat - analysis; Chlormequat-chloride; Chlorocholine chloride; Chromatographic methods and physical methods associated with chromatography; Chromatography, Liquid - methods; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Drug Stability; Exact sciences and technology; Groundwater; Natural water pollution; Other chromatographic methods; Plant Growth Regulators - analysis; Pollution; Pressurised liquid extraction; Quaternary ammonium herbicides; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Soil - analysis; Soil and sediments pollution; Soil Pollutants - analysis; Solid Phase Extraction - methods; Tandem Mass Spectrometry - methods; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Supply - analysis; Water treatment and pollution; Pressurised liquid extraction; Chlormequat-chloride; Groundwater; Quaternary ammonium herbicides; Chlorocholine chloride; Solid phase extraction; Tandem mass spectrometry; Organic cation; HPLC chromatography; Solvent extraction; Soil pollution; Chemical enrichment; Sample preparation; Plant growth substance; Ground water; Trace analysis; Chlormequat; Coupled method; Pesticides; Agricultural soil; Herbicide; Operating conditions; Quaternary ammonium compound; Pressure effect; Water pollution
• ISSN: 0021-9673; 1873-3778
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2009.01.050

We present a new, precise and accurate method for quantitative analysis of chlormequat in soil and aqueous matrices. The method, which is based on LC–MS/MS, pressurised liquid extraction and solid-phase extraction, is eminently suitable for studying the fate of chlormequat in the soil environment. The limit of detection is 0.003–0.008
μg/L for rainwater, surface water and groundwater and 0.07–0.4
μg/kg for soil. In water samples amended to 0.04
μg/L, precision is better than 10%. The residual content of chlormequat in three agricultural topsoils analysed 4 months after its application was 23–55
μg/kg (12–23% of the amount applied). No trace of chlormequat was detected in groundwater from 66 water supply wells located in rural areas treated with chlormequat.