DETERMINATION OF PHENOLIC HERBICIDES IN SOIL BY PEROXYOXALATE CHEMILUMINESCENCE

Peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence was used for the determination of bromoxynil (3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile), and bromofenoxim (3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde-0-(2,4-dinitrophenyloxime). Both compounds are potent herbicides and the presence of phenolic hydroxy group makes them amenable to analysis by peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence. Determinations were carried out in the soil, without prior separation. In contrast to previous analytical work, homogeneous solutions were used. Calibration curves are linear over a concentration range spanning three orders of magnitude and the limit of detection is 10 ppm in soil. para-Cyanophenol was also determined by peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence, and a limit of detection of 1 x 10(-12)M was found.