Advisor Information

Andrew Miller

Presentation Type

Poster

Start Date

26-3-2021 12:00 AM

End Date

26-3-2021 12:00 AM

Abstract

Atrazine is a commonly used herbicide in agriculture that has been shown to cause adverse health-effects on biological organisms. Glacier Creek Preserve (GCP), a prairie preserve near Omaha, NE, contains restored prairie and agricultural land uses within a single watershed. Surface water samples were collected at various locations of GCP from May to July to quantify atrazine concentrations. Sample preparation included filtering with a 0.45 micron filter and solid-phase extraction (SPE) with a reversed-phase cartridge. The analyte was eluted off the cartridge with ethyl acetate and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Quantitation was performed with an internal standard calibration curve that had a limit of detection (LOD) of approximately 0.2 ppb. A quality control standard was prepared and analyzed (N = 3) by this method resulting in an average recovery of 106%. Other QA/QC methods comprised a check standard and sample spikes. Spatial and temporal relationships of atrazine were determined, and the concentration of atrazine at GCP never exceeded Environmental Protection Agency drinking water limits.

COinS
 
Mar 26th, 12:00 AM Mar 26th, 12:00 AM

Determination of atrazine in Glacier Creek using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Atrazine is a commonly used herbicide in agriculture that has been shown to cause adverse health-effects on biological organisms. Glacier Creek Preserve (GCP), a prairie preserve near Omaha, NE, contains restored prairie and agricultural land uses within a single watershed. Surface water samples were collected at various locations of GCP from May to July to quantify atrazine concentrations. Sample preparation included filtering with a 0.45 micron filter and solid-phase extraction (SPE) with a reversed-phase cartridge. The analyte was eluted off the cartridge with ethyl acetate and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Quantitation was performed with an internal standard calibration curve that had a limit of detection (LOD) of approximately 0.2 ppb. A quality control standard was prepared and analyzed (N = 3) by this method resulting in an average recovery of 106%. Other QA/QC methods comprised a check standard and sample spikes. Spatial and temporal relationships of atrazine were determined, and the concentration of atrazine at GCP never exceeded Environmental Protection Agency drinking water limits.