The analysis for fullerene (C60) in aquatic environment by LC/MS after the liquid-liquid extraction using hexane was established. The instrumental detection limit of C60 was 0.5 μg/L under this LC/MS conditions. As for liquid-liquid extraction, C60 was extracted at high extraction efficacy with hydrophobic solvents such as n-hexane, toluene, and benzene. On the other hand, solid phase extraction gave low extraction efficacy with any products investigated. The recovery rates of C60 in water samples by LC/MS after liquid-liquid extraction using n-hexan were 92-107% and the coefficients of variation were 4-13%. Preliminary examination of tap water of our institute and water samples from Tama-river basin did not detect C60 at the method detection limit of 1 ng/L.
