Validation of a liquid chromatography ultraviolet method for determination of herbicide diuron and its metabolites in soil samples

Abstract

Diuron is one of the most widely herbicide used worldwide, which can undergo degradation producing three primary metabolites: 3,4-dichlorophenylurea, 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-methylurea, and 3,4-dichloroaniline. Since the persistence of diuron and its by-products in ecosystems involves risk of toxicity to environment and human health, a reliable quantitative method for simultaneous monitoring of these compounds is required. Hence, a simple method without preconcentration step was validated for quantitation of diuron and its main metabolites by high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Separation was achieved in less than 11 minutes using a C 18 column, mobile phase composed of acetonitrile and water (45:55 v/v) at 0.86 mL min −1 and detection at 254 nm. The validated method using solid-liquid extraction followed by an isocratic chromatographic elution proved to be specific, precise and linear (R 2 > 0.99), presenting more than 90% of recovery. The method was successfully applied to quantify diuron and their by-products in soil samples collected in a sugarcane cultivation area, focusing on the environmental control.

Removal of Diuron and Hexazinone from Public Water Supply Using a Filter System

“…The LOD for diuron was 0.004 μg mL -1 , while LOQ was 0.013 μg mL -1 (Table 1). Similar values were also obtained by Ramli et al (2012) and Felicio et al (2016), who also used HPLC and…”

“…; the detection of both herbicides occurred in less than 3 min ( Figure 2B), and as described previously, the water used showed no residues of both herbicides (Figure 2A). Some authors, such as Ferracini et al (2005), Ramli et al (2012) and Felicio et al (2016), found a total running time of 15 min., with hexazinone retention time of 10 min., and 10 and 8.5 min., respectively for diuron. These results indicate that the method was sensitive to the detection of the herbicides at low concentration levels and with a fast analysis time.…”

Identification of pesticides in water samples by solid‐phase extraction and liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

“…Pesticides go through complex reactions in the environment, generating metabolites and products that can present high toxicity and may directly correlate with an increasing number of diseases, such as cancer (Bolognesi, 2003; Campos et al, 2016; Felicio et al, 2016; Landau‐Ossondo et al, 2009; Salvia et al, 2018). Many harmful effects of pesticides are attributed to chronic exposure to extremely low doses (nanograms to picograms per liter), which makes risk evaluation even more challenging.…”

Opportunities for coupled electrochemical and ion-exchange technologies to remove recalcitrant micropollutants in water

“…Their widespread use in agricultural activities (including urban gardening) results in pesticides entering waters. Diuron for example (Figure 1) is a herbicide used in gardening that can be harmful because it inhibits photosynthesis [13]. Diuron has recently been found at concentrations up to 408 ng L -1 in surface waters in Spain [14].…”