Evaluation of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with micro-electron capture detection for the analysis of seven pesticides in sediment samples

A GC-μECD and a GC × GC-μECD method were developed for the analysis of pesticides in sediments. For 1D-GC, instrumental LOD and LOQ were found in the range from 0.60 to 2.31 μg L−1 and 1.83 to 5.62 μg L−1, respectively. For GC × GC method development two sets of columns were tested (DB-5/DB-17ms, and HP-50+/DB-1ms), and the best results were obtained with the set of columns DB-5/DB-17ms. Instrumental LOD and LOQ were found in the range from 0.08 to 1.07 μg L−1 and 0.25 to 3.23 μg L−1, respectively. The LOD for the GC × GC was about 36% lower than those obtained for the 1D-GC. Concentrations of 21.18 μg kg−1 through 1D-GC method and 3.34 μg kg−1 for GC × GC for trifloxystrobin were found in a sediment sample which was collected close to an area of rice plantation.