Determination of carbofuran and its metabolites in rice paddy water by using solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography.

A procedure for the determination of carbofuran and its metabolites (carbamate and phenolic) in rice paddy water is described. Water samples are concentrated on a C-18 solid phase extraction (SPE) column and eluted with methanol-water. The eluate is analyzed by reverse-phase liquid chromatography (LC) and measured by a wavelength programmable ultraviolet (UV) detector. The limit of detection for the method is 0.4 micrograms/L. Recovery studies were carried out at levels ranging from 1 to 15 micrograms/L in both rice paddy water and distilled water; recoveries ranged from 85.9 to 112.9%.