Analysis of Agrochemical Stability Using Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry (2015)
Undergraduates: Blake Morgan, Steven Reeber
Faculty Advisor: Gary Glish
Department: Chemistry
Paper spray ionization is a mass spectrometry ionization technique performed by applying a high voltage and solvent to a pointed paper strip to which the analytical sample has been applied. An electrospray is generated from the tip of the paper, ionizing the analyte. Current research is focused on the stability of dried agrochemicals on paper strips. In this experiment, separate samples containing 100 ppb atrazine were stored either at room temperature or in the freezer on paper strips, and a 100 ppb atrazine-d5 internal standard was applied before analysis. Analyte stability was evaluated by measuring the internal standard:analyte ratio weekly using paper spray mass spectrometry. Preliminary results indicate that significant atrazine degradation occurs seven days after application to the paper strip. Ongoing experiments aim to confirm the observations made in this experiment and to determine the stability of other compounds on paper strips.