Analysis of Endosulfan Isomers and other Pesticides in Surface Water of the Paraíba do Sul River Basin by Solid Phase Extraction and Comprehensive Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography Coupled with Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

In 2008, there was a large endosulfan spill in one of the most important rivers in southeastern Brazil. However, no studies were found to assess the persistence of endosulfan in this environment. The persistence of endosulfan and its metabolites, in addition to other organochlorine pesticides, was evaluated in water samples collected from the Pirapetinga River and Paraíba do Sul River. The solid phase extraction method was modified and validated for 15 organochlorine pesticides and the hyperspeed separation method was applied using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The limit of detection range was 0.38 and 17.96 ng mL-1 and limits of quantification were between 1.18 and 54.43 ng mL-1. Endosulfan lactone was detected in the Pirapetinga River (point 4 rainy season, 255 ng mL-1 and point 5 dry season, 142 ng mL-1), in addition to hexachlorocyclohexane (point 6 rainy season, 40.69 ng mL-1).