CHROMATOGRAPHY, Vol. 33 (2012), No. 2, pp. -85

Over the last decade, the combination of high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry has become the most important tool in many fields, especially when a determination of specific analytes in a complex matrix needs to be performed such as measurement of residual contaminants in the environment. The reason for this widespread acceptance is the high selectivity and high sensitivity of MS techniques that permit the detection of very low levels of target analytes in the presence of a complex matrix background. However, experience has taught that, while detection is no longer an obstacle, quantitative determination of the species of interest may be problematic. Steps must be taken prior to analysis to minimize or eliminate matrix effects via sample clean-up techniques such as solid phase extraction. The use of LC-MS/MS and solid phase extraction(SPE) column for the environmental analysis are explained in this paper.