Analytical Methods

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The Environmental Monitoring Branch scientists select pesticides for analytical method development by researching criteria such as pesticide use patterns, physical-chemical properties, toxicity and previous detections. The Branch contracts with laboratories to develop these methods to analyze environmental samples and sampling media collected by our staff. Most of the following analytical methods were developed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture's Center for Analytical Chemistry. As part of their quality assurance program, the Center adheres to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's system for environmental quality and technology, and the International Standards Organization's ISO-17025 standard. Consistent with these standards, the following analytical methods are designated as "uncontrolled" because more recent versions may have been developed but not posted on this page. Original, "controlled" copies of methods are stored by the contract laboratories.

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Reports and Memos

2023

EMON-SM-05-052 Determination of Seven Neonicotinoids in Surface Water by Liquid Chromatography Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry, PDF (CDFA, 2022).
EMON-SM-05-044, Rev. 1. Determination of Selected Rice Herbicides in Groundwater (CDFA, 2023).
- "Unequivocal Detection" Criteria Memo, PDF (Aggarwal, 2024)
EMON-SM-05-032, Rev. 3. Determination of 62 Pesticides in Groundwater by Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LCMS) and Gas Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (GCMS)(CDFA, 2023), PDF.
- "Unequivocal Detection" Criteria Memo, PDF (Aggarwal, 2023)
EM 62.9, Rev. 6. Determination of Atrazine, Bromacil, Diuron, Hexazinone, Metribuzin, Norflurazon, Prometon, Prometryn, Simazine, Desethylatrazine, Norflurazon Desmethyl, Desisopropylatrazine, Diaminochlorotriazine, Tebuthiuron and Clothianidin in Groundwater by Liquid Chromatography Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (CDFA, 2023), PDF.
- "Unequivocal Detection" Criteria Memo, PDF (Aggarwal, 2023)
EMON-SM-05-051. Determination of Metribuzin, Metribuzin Desamino, Metribuzin Diketo, and Metribuzin Desaminodiketo in Groundwater by Liquid Chromatography Electro Spray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (CDFA, 2023), PDF.
- "Unequivocal Detection" Criteria Memo, PDF (Aggarwal, 2023)
EMON-SM-05-053. Analysis of Aminopyralid in Groundwater by Liquid Chromatography Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (CDFA, 2023), PDF.
- "Unequivocal Detection" Criteria Memo, PDF (Aggarwal, 2023)
EMON-SM-05-034A. Rev. 4. Analysis of S-Metolachlor, Metolachlor Ethanesulfonic Acid, Metolachlor Oxanilic Acid, Deschloro Metolachlor, and Hydroxy Metolachlor in Groundwater (CDFA, 2023), PDF.
- "Unequivocal Detection" Criteria Memo, PDF (Aggarwal, 2023)

2022

DCN: 04.3535.00 Automated Solid-Phase Extraction (SPE) for Pesticides, PDF. (DTSC, 2022)
DCN: 06.0017.00 Pesticide Analysis by Gas Chromatography / Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (GC/QToF), PDF. (DTSC, 2022)
DCN: 06.0016.00 Pesticide Analysis by Liquid Chromatography Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS-MS), PDF. (DTSC, 2022)
EMON-SM-05-034, Rev. 2. Analysis of S-Metolachlor, Metolachlor ESA, and Metolachlor OXA in Well Water (CDFA, 2022), PDF.
- "Unequivocal Detection" Criteria Memo, PDF (Aggarwal, 2022)
EMON-SM-05-032, Rev. 2. Determination of 53 pesticides in Groundwater by Gas Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS/MS) and Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometer (LC/MS/MS) (CDFA, 2022), PDF.
- "Unequivocal Detection" Criteria Memo, PDF (Aggarwal, 2022)

2020

EM 62.9 Rev. 5 Determination of Atrazine, Bromacil, Diuron, Hexazinone, Metribuzin, Norflurazon, Prometon, Prometryn, Simazine, Deethyl Atrazine (DEA), Deisopropyl Atrazine ( ACET), Diamino Chlorotraizine ( DACT), Desmethyl Norflurazone,Tebuthiuron and the metabolites Tebuthiuron-104, Tebuthiuron-106, Tebuthiuron-107 and Tebuthiuron-108 in Well Water by MCX extraction and Liquid Chromatography - triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (CDFA, 2020), PDF.
- "Unequivocal Detection" Criteria Memo, PDF (Aggarwal, 2020)
EMON-SM-05-044 Determination of Selected Rice Herbicides in Groundwater (CDFA, 2020), PDF.
- "Unequivocal Detection" Criteria Memo, PDF (Aggarwal, 2020)
EMON-SM-05-045 Analysis of Glyphosate, Glufosinate and Aminomethylphosphonic Acid (AMPA) in Ground Water, PDF. (CDFA, 2020)
- "Unequivocal Detection" Criteria Memo, PDF (Aggarwal, 2020)
EMON-SM-05-034 Analysis of Imidacloprid, S-Metolachlor, Metolachlor ESA, and Metolachlor OXA in Soil, PDF. (CDFA, Revised 2020)

2019

EMON-SM-05-042 Analysis of Sulfentrazone and Sulfentrazone-3-Carboxylic Acid in Soil and Turf, PDF. (CDFA, 2019).
EMON-SM-05-041 Analysis of Sulfentrazone and Sulfentrazone-3-Carboxylic Acid in Well Water, PDF. (CDFA, 2019).
- "Unequivocal Detection" Criteria Memo, PDF (Aggarwal, 2020)
EMON-SM-05-022 Rev. 3 Determination of Pyrethroids in Sediment Water Using Triple Quadrupole GC/MS/MS, PDF. (CDFA 2019)

2018

EMON-SM-41.9-MSD Determination of MITC in Air by GC-MS, PDF (CDFA, Revised 2018)

2017

EMON-SM-05-037. Determination of 47 pesticides in Surface Water by Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Linear Ion Trap Quadrupole, PDF (CDFA, 2017). (Funded by US EPA Performance Partnership Grant)
- "Unequivocal Detection" Criteria Memo, PDF (Aggarwal, 2019)
EMON-SM-05-040. Analysis of Dacthal, Dacthal Monoacid, and Dacthal Diacid in Well Water using Gas Chromatography/MSD, PDF. (CDFA, 2016).
- "Unequivocal Detection" Criteria Memo, PDF (Aggarwal, 2017).
EM 5.5. Determination of Bentazon in Ground Water using Gas Chromatography/MSD, PDF. (CDFA, 2015).
- "Unequivocal Detection" Criteria Memo, PDF (Aggarwal, 2017).

2016

EMON-38.0 Modified. Analysis of S-Metolachlor, Metolachlor ESA, and Metolachlor OXA in Well Water, PDF (CDFA, 2015).
- "Unequivocal Detection" Criteria Memo, PDF (Aggarwal, 2016).
EMON-SM-05-032 . Determination of 44 Pesticides on Well Water by Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Linear Ion Trap Quadrupole and Gas Chromatography Coupled to Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer, PDF (CDFA, 2013).
- "Unequivocal Detection" Criteria Memo, PDF (Aggarwal, 2016).

2015

WPCL-MS-67 . Determination of Pyrethroid Pesticides in Sediment (CDFW, 2009).
WPCL-PR-007 . Extraction of Organochlorine, Organophosphorus, PCBs and Pyrethroids Pesticides in Water Samples, PDF.(CDFW, 2014).
WPCL-PR-008 . Extraction of Tissues and Sediments for Pyrethroid Pesticides (Pressurized Fluid Extraction), PDF.(CDFW, 2013).
Analytical Methods, PDF Pesticide Analytical Methods for Surface Water and Sediment Submitted by Registrants
- Request Methods through a Public Records Request, PDF

2014

EMON-SM-05-033, PDF . Determination of Chlorfenapyr in Surface Water Using Triple Quadrupole GC/MS/MS. (Funded by US EPA Performance Partnership Grant), PDF. 2014.

2013

EMON-SM-46-0-MSD, PDF . Determination of Organophosphate Pesticides in Surface Water Using Gas Chromatography with Mass Selective Detection (MSD), PDF. (CDFW, 2013).
WPCL-LC-009 . Determination of Selected Rice Herbicides in Ground Water by (SPE) and LC/MSMS, PDF (CDFW, 2013).
- "Unequivocal Detection" criteria Memo, PDF (Aggarwal, 2013).
EMON-SM-05-031 . Determination of Chlorantraniliprole in Surface Water by Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Linear Ion Trap Quadrupole (Funded by US EPA Consolidated Cooperative Agreement), PDF
EMON-SM-05-025 . Determination of Linuron, Isoxaben, Mefenoxam, Metalaxyl, Methomyl and Propyzamide in Well Water by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Tandem Mass Spectrometry, PDF (CDFA, 2013).
- "Unequivocal Detection" Criteria Memo, PDF (Aggarwal, 2012).

2012

WPCL-AA-041 CDPR, PDF . Iodide Anion by Ion Chromatography, EPA Method 300 (CDFG, 2012).
MPSL-ICPMS-I2. Iodine by ICP/MS (CDFG, 2012).
EMON-SM-05-0021. Determination of Selected Pesticides Collected on XAD-4 Resin by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry, PDF.

2011

EM 16. Determination of Chloropicrin Desorbed from XAD-4 Resin Tubes, PDF (CDFA 2011).
EMON-SM-41.9. Determination of MITC in Air By GC/NPD or GC/TSD, PDF (CDFA 2011)
EMON-SM-05-022 . Determination of Pyrethroids in Sediment Water Using Triple Quadrupole GC/MS/MS, PDF (CDFA 2011).
EMON-SM-05-023 Determination of Bensulide and Imidacloprid in Surface Water, PDF (CDFA, 2011)
EMON-SM-05-027. Determination of Thiram in Surface Water, PDF (CDFA 2011).
EMON-SM-05-026. Determination of Methoxyfenozide and Tebufenozide in Surface Water by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Tandem Mass Spectrometry, PDF (CDFA 2011).
EMON-SM-05-024 . Determination of Azoxystrobin, Kresoxim methyl, Pyraclostrobin and Trifloxystrobin in Surface Water by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled to Tandem Mass Spectrometry, PDF (partially funded by US EPA Cooperative Agreement)
EMON-SM 11.3 . Determination of N- methylcarbamate Pesticides in Surface Water using High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Post-column Derivatization, PDF (CDFA, Revised 2011).

2010

EMON-SM-05-020 . Determination of Chlorothalonil in Ground and Surface Water, PDF (CDFA, 2010).
- "Unequivocal Detection" criteria Memo, PDF (Aggarwal, 2011)
EMON-SM-05-019 . Determination of Acrolein, Iodomethane, Carbon Disulfide, ci-1,3 Dichloropropene, trans-1,3-Dichloropropene, MIBK and Bromomethane in Air Samples Collected in Summa Canisters, PDF (CDFA, 2010).
EMON-SM-05-018 . Determination of Azoxystrobin, Azoxystrobin Acid, Azoxystrobin Z-metabolite, Dicloran, Iprodione, Isoiprodione, Vinclozalin and 3,5- Dichloroaniline in Well Water, PDF (CDFA, 2010).
- "Unequivocal Detection" criteria Nemo, PDF (Aggarwal, 2011).
EMON-SM-05-014 . Determination of Iodomethane Desorbed from Charcoal Tubes, PDF (CDFA, 2010).
EMON-SM-05-004 . Determination of Napropamide and Oryzalin in Ground Water by High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry, PDF(CDFA, Revised 2010).
- "Unequivocal Detection" criteria Memo, PDF (Aggarwal, 2011).

2009

EMON-SM-05-016 . Determination of Bensulide in Surface Water Using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, PDF (CDFA, 2009).
EMON-SM-05-015 . Analysis of Chlorpyrifos in Sediment, PDF (CDFA, 2009).
EMON-SM-05-017 . Determination of MeBr in Air by GC/ECD, PDF (CDFA, 2009).
EMON-SM 11.3 . Determination of N-methylcarbamate Pesticides in Surface Water using High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Post-column Derivatization, PDF (CDFA, 2009).
EMON-SM-62.9 . Determination of Atrazine, Bromacil, Cyanazine, Diuron, Hexazinone, Metribuzin, Norflurazon, Prometon, Prometryn, Simazine, Deethyl Atrazine (DEA), Deisopropyl Atrazine ( ACET), Diamino Chlorotraizine (DACT), Tebuthiuron and the metabolites Tebuthiuron-104, Tebuthiuron-106, Tebuthiuron-107 and Tebuthiuron-108 in Well Water and River Water By Liquid Chromatography- Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry, PDF (CDFA, Revised 2009).
- "Unequivocal Detection" criteria Memo, PDF (Fattah, 2008).

2008

EMON-SM 05-013 . Determination of Fipronil and Metabolites in Surface Water using Gas Chromatography/Mass spectrometry, PDF. (CDFA, 2008).
EMON-SM 05-012. Determination of Phenoxy Herbicides in Surface water using Gas Chromatography/MSD, PDF. (CDFA, 2008).
EMON-SM-05-009 . Determination of Pheromones in Air Trapped on XAD-4 by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, PDF (CDFA, 2008).
EM-SM-05-010. Determination of Acephate and Methamidophos in Surface Water by LC-MS, PDF.(CDFA, 2008).
EMON-SM-05-002 . Determination of Selected Pesticides Collected on XAD-4 Resin by High Performance Liquid Chromatography Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry, PDF. (CDFA, 2008).
EMON-SM-13.0 . Determination of Imidacloprid and the Olefinic Imidacloprid, Guanidine, Olefinic Guanidine, Urea Metabolites in Well Water by High Performance Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry, PDF. (CDFA, 2008).
- "Unequivocal Detection" criteria memo, PDF (Fattah, 2008).
Method 309 . Determination of Selected Pesticides Collected on XAD-4 Resin by High Performance Liquid Chromatography Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry, PDF.(CDFA, 2008).

2007

EMON-SM 05-006 . Determination of Ethalfluralin, Trifluralin, Benfluralin, Prodiamine, Pendimethalin, Oxyfluorfen, and Oryzalin in Surface Water, PDF. (CDFA, 2007).
EM-SM-05-005. Determination of Tebuthiuron and its Metabolites 104, 106, 107, and 108 in Well Water by Liquid Chromatography- Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry, PDF.(CDFA, 2007).
- "Unequivocal Detection" criteria memo, PDF (Fattah, 2008).
WPCL 53. Determination of Synthetic Pyrethroids in Water Samples, PDF. (CDFG, 2007).
WPCL 52 . Determination of Organophosphorous Pesticides in Water Samples, PDF.(CDFG, 2007).

2006

ELAB-SM-01 Determination of Thiram in Surface Water, PDF.(CDFA, 2006).
Carb-Water #2 . Determination of Carbamate Pesticides in Water Samples, PDF.(CDFG, 2006).
Method 298 . CDFG Fish and Wildlife Water Pollution Control Laboratory Standard Operating Procedure for the Determination of Inorganic Anions in Water by Ion Chromatography- EPA 300.00, PDF. (CDFG, 2006).
EMON-SM 05-003 . Analysis of Pyrethroids in Sediment Water, PDF.(CDFA, 2006).

2005

EMON-SM-05-001 . Determination of Molinate, EPTC, Vernolate, Pebulate, Cycloate, Thiobencarb, Butylate and TriallateThiocarbamates in Ground Water by High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometry (CDFA, 2005).
EMON-SM 52-9 . Analysis of Pyrethroids in Sediment, PDF.(CDFA, 2005).
OP-SED #2 . Determination of Select Organophosphorous Pesticides in Sediment Samples, PDF. (CDFG, 2005).
PYR-SED #0 . Determination of Pyrethroid Pesticides in Sediment, PDF.(CDFG, 2005).

2004

OP-Water #6 . Determination of Organophosphorous Pesticides in Water Samples, PDF.(CDFG, 2004).
PYR-Water #1 . Determination of Synthetic Pyrethroids in Water Samples, PDF.(CDFG, 2004).
EMON-SM-59-6 . Determination of 1,3-Dichloropropene (Telone) and Methyl Isothiocyanate (MITC) Absorbed on Charcoal, PDF.(CDFA, 2004).
EMON-SM 46-0 . Determination of Organophosphate Pesticides in Surface Water using Gas Chromatography, PDF.(revised 4/20/04 for 10 ppt RLs). (CDFA, 2004).

2003

EMON-SM-52-7 . Determination of Pyrethroids in Sediment Water, PDF.(CDFA, 2003).
EMON-SM-52.6 . Determination of Pyrethroids in Sediment, PDF.(CDFA, 2003).

2002

EM 38.0 . Determination of Residues of Alachlor and Metolachlor and Selected Metabolites in Surface Water by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, PDF.(CDFA, 2002).
EM 29.7 . Determination of DACT, ACET, Bromacil, Simazine, Hexazinone, Diuron, Atrazine, and Norflurazon in Soil by Liquid Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry, PDF.(CDFA, 2002).
EM 12.7. HPLC Determination of Total Imidacloprid in Vegetation, PDF.(CDFA, 2002).
Method 246 . Determination of Organophosphate Pesticides in Surface Water Using Gas Chromatography, PDF. (PTRL, 2002).
Method 245 . Determination of Atrazine, Bromacil, Diuron, Hexazinone, Norflurazon, Prometon, Simazine, Deethyl Atrazine (DEA), Deisopropyl Atrazine (ACET), and Diamino Chlorotriazine (DACT) in Well Water by Liquid Chromatography- Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry, PDF.(PTRL, 2002).
- "Unequivocal Detection" criteria memo, PDF (Spurlock, 2002).
Method 51.1 . Determination of Methyl Parathion and its Oxygen Analog (OA) in Air on XAD-4 Resin, PDF. (CDFA, 2002).

2001

Method 16 . GC Determination of Cyfluthrin in Surface Water, PDF.(CDFA, 2001).
Method 234 . Determination of Atrazine, Bromacil, Cyanazine, Diuron, Hexazinone, Metribuzin, Norflurazon, Prometon, Prometryn, Simazine, Deethyl Atrazine (DEA), Deisopropyl Atrazine (ACET), and Diamino Chlorotriazine (DACT) in Well Water and River Water by Liquid Chromatography - Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry, PDF.(CDFA, 2001) replaced by method 303.
EM 55.8. Determination of Propanil in Surface Water using Liquid Chromatography with Ultra Violet Detector and Positive Ion Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry, PDF.(CDFA, 2001).
EM 50.6 . Oryzalin in Surface Water, PDF.(CDFA, 2001).
EM 37.6 . Determination of Residues of Alachlor and Metolachlor and Selected Metabolites in Well Water by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, PDF.(CDFA, 2001).
- "Unequivocal Detection" criteriamemo, PDF (Spurlock, 2001).
EM 33.5 . HPLC Determination of Imidacloprid in Surface and Well Water, PDF.(CDFA, 2001).
EM 32.3 . Determination of Fenamiphos, Fenamiphos Sulfoxide, and Fenamiphos Sulfone in Well Water by Liquid Chromatography- Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry, PDF.(CDFA, 2001).

2000

Method 45.9 . Determination of Selected Organophosphate Pesticides in Air on XAD-4 Resin, PDF. (CDFA, 2000).
Method 251 . Protocol for Analysis of Lompoc Air Samples, PDF.(UC Davis, 2000).
Method 7 . Determination of Bifenthrin in Water by GC/ECD, PDF.(CDFA, 2000).
OP-SED #0 . Analysis of Organophosphate Pesticides in Sediment, PDF.(CDFG, 2000).
EM 61.5. The Determination of Triclopyr and 2,4-D in Plant Materials, PDF.(CDFA, 2000).
EM 52.5 . Determination of Permethrin and Esfenvalerate/Fenvalerate in Sediment Water, PDF. (CDFA, 2000).
EM 32.1 . Fenoxycarb, Pyriproxyfen and Hydramethylnon in Water, PDF.(CDFA, 2000).
EM 29.6 . Determination of Hexazinone and Diuron in Sediment by LC/MS, PDF.(CDFA, 2000).
EM 29.5 . Determination of Hexazinone and Diuron in Alfalfa by LC/MS, PDF.(CDFA, 2000).
EM 29.4 . Determination of Hexazinone and Diuron in Soil by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, PDF.(CDFA, 2000).
EM 29-3 . Determination of Diuron and Hexazinone on Kimbies using Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry, PDF.(CDFA, 2000).
EM 12.5 . Determination of Carbaryl and Methidathion in Selected Fruits and Vegetables Using Liquid Chromatography, PDF.(CDFA, 2000).
EM 12.4 . Determination of Carbaryl and Imidacloprid in on Dislodgeable Leaf Punch Samples, PDF. (CDFA, 2000).
EM 12.3 . Determination of Carbaryl and Imidacloprid Desorbed from XAD-2 Resin Tubes, PDF. (CDFA, 2000).

1999

EM 62.9 . Determination of Atrazine, Bromacil, Cyanazine, Diuron, Hexazinone, Metribuzin, Norflurazon, Prometon, Prometryn, Simazine, Deethyl Atrazine (DEA), Deisopropyl Atrazine (ACET), and Diamino Chlorotraizine (DACT) in Well Water and River Water By Liquid Chromatography- Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry, PDF (CDFA, 1999).