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ARS Home » Midwest Area » St. Paul, Minnesota » Soil and Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #293825
Title: Simplified analysis of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid in water, vegetation, and soil by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Author
item MAREK, LEETTA - Minnesota Department Of Agriculture
item Koskinen, William

Submitted to: Pest Management Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/19/2013
Publication Date: 12/26/2013
Citation: Marek, L.J., Koskinen, W.C. 2014. Simplified analysis of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid in water, vegetation, and soil by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Pest Management Science. 70(7):1158-1164.

Interpretive Summary: A simple, fast, efficient, and sensitive method was developed for analysis of glyphosate and its degradate, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), in water, vegetation, and soil. Aqueous extracts were passed through reverse phase and cation exchange columns and directly injected into a tandem mass spectrometer, using only a guard column for separation. Extraction efficiencies from the three matrices were >80% for both chemicals. The method reporting level s (MRL) for glyphosate in water, vegetation, and soil are 3.04 µg L-1, 0.05 mg kg-1, and 0.37 mg kg-1, respectively. AMPA MRLs are 5.06 µg L-1 for water, 0.08 mg kg-1 for vegetation, and 0.61 mg kg-1 for soil. Scientists and regulators now have a validated, simple, efficient LC-MS/MS method for routine analysis of glyphosate and AMPA, in water, vegetation, and soil that uses minimal sample handling and cleanup, which in turn will facilitate the additional research needed to address the continuing environmental concerns related to the increasing glyphosate use.

Technical Abstract: A simple, fast, efficient, and sensitive method was developed for analysis of glyphosate and its degradate, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), in water, vegetation, and soil. Aqueous extracts were passed through reverse phase and cation exchange columns and directly injected into a tandem mass spectrometer, using only a guard column for separation. Extraction efficiencies from the three matrices were >80% for both chemicals. The method reporting level s (MRL) for glyphosate in water, vegetation, and soil are 3.04 µg L-1, 0.05 mg kg-1, and 0.37 mg kg-1, respectively. AMPA MRLs are 5.06 µg L-1 for water, 0.08 mg kg-1 for vegetation, and 0.61 mg kg-1 for soil. A validated simple, efficient LC-MS/MS method for routine analysis of glyphosate and AMPA, in water, vegetation, and soil that uses minimal sample handling and cleanup will facilitate the additional environmental research needed to address the continuing concerns related to the increasing glyphosate use.