Using the ELISA Method to Track Atrazine Occurrence in a National Monitoring Program

This study was undertaken to gain a better understanding of short-term atrazine concentrations in drinking water by developing an intensive sampling program over a seven-month time period. Samples were analyzed by a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test method. Although the authors found that the test kit approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency was not accurate for many of the waters tested because of water matrix interferences, they were able to observe trends in atrazine occurrence. Surface waters were found to be more vulnerable to atrazine contamination than were groundwater sources, peak atrazine occurrence corresponded well to runoff, and some drainage basins were more susceptible to atrazine occurrence than others. in addition, findings demonstrated that atrazine can be effectively removed using activated carbon in granular form, powdered form, or both. Specific knowledge of atrazine occurrence will help utilities control atrazine more efficiently and reduce treatment costs by applying activated carbon during peak atrazine periods.—MP