Successful and Robustness of 2,4-D Analysis in Surface Waters

Abstract

The analysis of the 2,4-D in natural waters is a relevant issue due to real possibility of water contamination by this herbicide. The literature amply covers the subject and liquid chromatography is undoubtedly the the preferred technique for detection and quantification, since it does not require derivatization step. This article shows that besides being a simple, sensitive and reliable method, solidphase extraction (SPE), followed by high performance liquid chromatography and diode array detection, has adequate robustness to a routine method of water quality. The Youden test demonstrated robustness of the experimental procedure for different analysts, column temperature and organic solvents, but sensitive for volume flow and pH of the mobile phase. The method was adequate in the investigation of 2,4-D in surface water samples from Rio da Prata (São Luís, MA) and was not detected in the samples analyzed.