Development and validation of a high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of clomazone residues in surface water

A method is described for the determination of clomazone residues in surfac e water by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. The me thod involves solid-phase extraction with C-18 extraction tubes. Clomazone was separated on a C-18 column with a mobile phase of methanol-water (65:35 , v/v) at pH 4.0 and a flow-rate of 1.0 ml/min. After optimization of the e xtraction and separation conditions, the method was validated. The method d eveloped can be used for determination of clomazone in surface water, at th e limit of 0.1 mug/l set by the European Union drinking water directive, wi th a 400-fold preconcentration. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights r eserved.