GC/MS Analysis of Pesticides in Rural Well Water

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Date

1994

Disciplines

Chemistry

Advisor

John Klassen

Abstract

In this study, a small area of west-central Minnesota was selected to examine the ground water quality of an agricultural community with a very limited background of previous quality testing. Agribusiness persons and county authorities were contacted prior to method selection to determine which pesticides were applied most frequently in this area. The EPA Method 525.1 Revision 2.2, using the GC/MS, was used in sample extraction and analysis of atrazine, alachlor, and metolachlor. Of 22 wells sampled, none contained metolachlor and three were found to contain atrazine at very high levels. Alachlor could not be quantified due to a contamination problem from an outside source.

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