Gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric analysis of nitrilotriacetic acid in environmental aqueous samples.
This study describes a fast and accurate method for the sample preparation, identification, and quantitation of nitrilotriacetic (NTA) acid in environmental aqueous samples at a concentration of ppb level. The method is sensitive, specific, and free from the interferences of fatty and amino acids. The tri-n-propyl- and tri-n-butyl-NTA acid esters were prepared by the reaction of n-propyl-HCl and n-butyl-HCl solutions and NTA acid, respectively. The derivatives were analyzed by a gas chromatograph equipped with a mass spectrometric detector. The method detection limit, 0.006 mg/L of each NTA ester, was determined and validated by an analysis of a fortified water sample. The overall recoveries were 103-115%, n = 8. The method was applied to a real sample and a 0.90 mg/L concentration of NTA acid was found. Mass fragmentation patterns of the derivatives are also reported.
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ENTECH-Agri-Service Laboratory, Inc., Research and Development Section, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. entechlab@msn.com
D002138:Calibration; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D004952:Esters / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D009571:Nitrilotriacetic Acid / Q000032:analysis*; D012996:Solutions; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D002614:Chelating Agents; D004952:Esters; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D012996:Solutions; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D009571:Nitrilotriacetic Acid