Microscale extraction of perchlorate in drinking water with low level detection by electrospray-mass spectrometry

Improper treatment and disposal of perchlorate can be an environmental hazard in regions where solid rocket motors are used, tested, or stored. The solubility and mobility of perchlorate lends itself to ground water contamination, and some of these sources are used for drinking water. Perchlorate in drinking water has been determined at sub-μg l−1 levels by extraction of the ion-pair formed between the perchlorate ion and a cationic surfactant with electrospray-mass spectrometry detection. Confidence in the selective quantification of the perchlorate ion is increased through both the use of the mass based detection as well as the selectivity of the ion pair. This study investigates several extraction solvents and experimental work-up procedures in order to achieve high sample throughput. The method detection limit for perchlorate based on 3.14σn−1 of seven replicate injections was 300 ng l−1 (parts-per-trillion) for methylene chloride extraction and 270 ng l−1 for methyl isobutyl ketone extraction. Extraction with methylene chloride produces linear calibration curves, enabling standard addition to be used to quantify perchlorate in drinking water. Perchlorate determination of a contaminated water compared favorably with results determined by ion chromatography.