Strategies for chromatographic analysis of pesticide residues in water

A review is presented of the modern techniques and approaches in methods for pesticide residue analysis in water matrices. The state of the art of the individual steps (extraction, clean-up, separation, identification, quantitation) of the chromatographic methods is reviewed with emphasis laid on emerging techniques which have gained popularity. The new approaches are discussed with respect to their relevancy to the requirements for increasing the sensitivity of detection and reliability of identification and quantitation at low levels of concentrations, arising from the European Community Drinking Water Directive.