Abstract

Amitrole in environment, difficult to be analyzed by GC or GC/MS due to high polarity and low volatility, was analyzed by LC/ESI/MS in the study. Maximum peak intensity of amitrole in LC/MS/ESI mass spectrum is m/z 85 of protonated molecular ion (M+H)+ with 30V of cone voltage at SIR mode. It was confirmed that ratios between main ion of amitrole, 85 of protonated molecular ion, and m/z 58 fragmented ion of amitrole, had increased corresponding with the increment of cone voltage from 20V to 70V. The isotope molecular weight of amitrole was 86([M+H])+ at LC/MS analysis and the mass spectrum ratio between 85 mass and 86 mass was not different by the change of concentration but similar to theoretical ratio(less than 10% standard deviation).The linearity of standard calibration curve under same condition with sample treatment method had y=1.09354E6 X + 26947.2 and r2 = 0.99. Recovery rates in water and soil samples were 77.64∼83.44% and 71.11∼79.44%, respectively. Reliability of the analysis was performed with 5 repeated measurements at each level of standard concentration and the result showed that relative standard deviation was less than 10%; therefore, the extraction and analysis method in the study suggested that it would be reliable to measure amitrole in water and soil media.