Faculty of Graduate Studies
Graduate Programme in Chemistry
ORAL EXAMINATION PROSPECTUS
A Candidate for the Degree of
Master of Science.
Title of Thesis:
LC-MS/MS Analysis of Mechanistic Studies of Agricultural lPesticides in the Environment
January 25, 2013 @ 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm
317 Petrie Science and Engineering Bldg.
York University
You are invited to the public lecture at 1pm.
Abstract: An important factor in considering the fate of chemical contaminants in the environment is how these contaminants interact with solids. A better understanding of the chemistry involved, including sorption capacities, sorption equilibria, and the kinetics of sorption and/or decomposition, can lead to improved remediation or control strategies. Here, high performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to an Ionics Triple Quadrupolar Mass Spectrometer has been used to quantitatively characterize the sorption, desorption, and decomposition chemistry of pesticides interacting with soil. Immediately upon exposure of the soil to the pesticides, the ability to make rapid, high quality measurements is crucial for acquiring accurate and detailed kinetic information. After more prolonged exposure, decomposition products can emerge, potentially including unknown species. A method which simultaneously screens for such compounds is advantageous. The main purpose of this work is to demonstrate that high performance LC-MS/MS can provide a better understanding of the chemistry involved, including sorption capacities, sorption equilibria, and the kinetics of sorption and/or decomposition, which can lead to improved remediation or control strategies. Fast mode/polarity switching, multi-residue analysis of large quantity of pesticide and sorption capacity for soil-pesticide mixture was performed to show the utility of the LC-MS/MS for soil pesticide analysis.