Laser‐desorption Fourier‐transform mass spectrometry of triazines adsorbed on solid‐phase extraction membranes

Until the present, analysis of aqueous solutions of atrazine has been conducted using a combination of liquid chromatography or gas chromatography with mass spectrometry, after a preconcentration step. We explore herein a new approach for studying support‐phase‐extracted atrazine and hydroxyatrazine samples. Solid‐phase extraction membranes are inserted directly into the cell of a Fourier‐transform mass spectrometer for analysis after laser ionization. It appears that atrazine and its metabolite have very different ionization processes. In the case of hydroxyatrazine, the [M + H]+ ion signal can be correlated to the concentration of the extracted solution. These encouraging results might open the route to a quantification method.