Electrochemical Detection of Phenylurea Herbicides in Liquid Chromatography

Abstract

This paper describes the electrochemical detection of ten phenylurea herbicides after on-line trace enrichment on a small C18 precolumn and liquid chromatography on a C18 analytical column. The method presented shows sub-ppb sensitivity in surface water samples without extensive sample pretreatment. Electrode contamination occurs but does not seriously interfere in the routine analysis of such samples. Selective determination (at 1. 0 V) of metoxuron in the presence of other phenylureas allows the detection of 30 ppt of the herbicide in surface water.