Application Notes: Environmental

Concurrent solvent recondensation–large volume splitless injection (CSR-LVSI), an alternative to programmed temperature vaporization (PTV), typically requires a special GC inlet. The technique described here uses an unmodified split/splitless inlet with CSR-LVSI to lower detection limits for the analysis of 1,4-dioxane in drinking water.

Diesel range organic (DRO) compounds have boiling points similar to diesel fuel (C10–C28), ranging from 170–430 ?C. These heavy compounds are amenable to GC-FID analysis; however, important considerations should be taken to ensure reproducible results over repeated injections.

This application note will demonstrate the extraction of 1,4-dioxane from an aqueous matrix using option 1 of EPA Method 522 for 500 mL initial volume sample. It will make use of the SmartPrep Cartridge Extraction system to produce a valid initial demonstration of precision (IDP) and initial demonstration of accuracy (IDA).

This application demonstrates that stringent sensitivity requirements for the detection of potentially harmful primary aromatic amines can be fulfilled when using an Agilent 1290 Infinity LC system equipped with the 1290 large volume injection kit.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) has established the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Program to collect data for contaminants suspected to be present in drinking water (1). The US EPA is currently proposing Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 3 (UCMR 3) which will collect data from January 2013 through December 2015. Because of the impact on public health and safety, it is vital to have a system that can detect and analyze for these compounds at low levels.

The analysis of PAHs in less than 16 min using hydrogen as carrier gas and the PerkinElmer? Clarus? SQ 8 GC/MS operating in SIM mode is presented. Detection limits down to 0.5 pg on-column and a wide dynamic range are reported.

As analytical chemist(s), the data collected from samples we test represent information. That information may be required to direct environmental clean-up operations, help insure worker safety, or guide decisions for an emergency response to a chemical incident.

Shale gas reservoirs, such as the Marcellus shale reserve in Pennsylvania and Barnett shale reserve in Texas are a growing source of natural gas in the United States. Hydraulic fracturing or "fracking" involves pumping water, sand, and chemicals at extremely high pressure into deep underground wells to crack open hydrocarbon-rich shale formations and extract natural gas.

This application note describes the use of triggered Multiple Reaction Monitoring (tMRM) for the analysis of pesticide residues applied to chamomile and ginger extracts. The analysis is performed using the Agilent 1290 LC system coupled to a 6460 Triple Quadrupole LC/MS with tMRM acquisition.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) are fat-soluble, highly toxic, ubiquitous environmental contaminants found at trace levels in all foodstuffs and animal feed.

Chemical contaminants that are released into the marine environment may be ingested (absorbed) by fish and shellfish and thus become introduced into the human food chain.

More than 1000 pesticides are currently used worldwide in the treatment of soil and crops. Many countries have established allowable levels of those pesticides in food to protect consumers. While these maximum residue levels (MRLs) vary, the default tolerance is 10 parts per billion (ppb).

The purpose of this study is to determine how the Direct-to-GC vial concentrator tube and the DryVap ® Concentrator System can optimize the recoveries for both low and high boiling point semi-volatile compounds.

Microwave assisted extraction (MAE) offers significant benefits over traditional soxhlet extraction for dioxins and furans determination from environmental samples including higher sample throughput, time savings, reduced solvent and great reproducibility.

The determination of common inorganic anions and cations in drinking water is important due to the toxicity of anions (e.g., fluoride, nitrite, and nitrate) and secondary contaminants (e.g., chloride and sulfate) which can affect the water's aesthetics.

A simple screening method for Pyrethroid insecticides in sediment samples is described. Electron impact ionization (EI) with tandem MS-MS in combination with programmed temperature vaporization injection (PTV) were used in order to obtain excellent specificity and low limits of detection.

Over the last decade the use of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) has doubled in the United States. As a result, PPCPs have entered the environment through both human activity and as by-products from manufacturing, agricultural activities, medical use and veterinarian facilities.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in soil were rapidly extracted and concentrated using solid phase microextraction (SPME) followed by on-site analysis and identification with the TRIDION-9 portable gas chromatograph – toroidal ion trap mass spectrometer (GC-TMS). 37 VOCs were resolved and analyzed quickly in under 3 min.

Shale gas reservoirs, such as the Marcellus shale reserve in Pennsylvania and Barnett shale reserve in Texas are a growing source of natural gas in the United States.

Analysis of semi-volatile organic compounds by GC–MS according to well-established methodologies requires integration of a complete system of GC–MS instrumentation and software for data interpretation, analysis, and reporting. While the overall process of analyzing these target compounds is a mature technique, there are continuous innovations that allow laboratories to meet lower detection limits and analyze new compounds to comply with changing regulations, with higher throughput and improved quality.

Air pollution remains a global concern due to its impact on human health and the environment. Compounds known as "air toxics" are of particular importance in this respect, and US EPA methods TO-15 and TO-17 describe how to test air samples for the presence of these compounds.

EPA Method 8270D is used to determine a list of up to 243 semi-volatile organic compounds that are neutral, acidic, basic, and are soluble in methylene chloride. Semi-volatile water samples can contain varying amounts of suspended particulates and/or sediment due to either the source of the water, or the collection technique. By elevating the pH of semi-volatile samples, precipitates can form and result in an emulsion that can create problems for an efficient extraction with traditional techniques. These types of samples, due to their sediment content, have historically proven very challenging when using solid phase extraction (SPE).

The US EPA regulates the testing of 20 specific chlorinated pesticides under the official Method 8081. Zebron MultiResidue columns achieve baseline separation of all of these analytes with short run times, providing greater confidence in identification and increased lab productivity.

Fluoroacetate (Compound 1080) is a strong metabolic poison commonly used as a rodenticide and predacide (1). Due to the high level of toxicity when ingested (2), and no known antidotes, its use has been banned or restricted in many countries.

The update to the SANCO guidelines in 2009 recognized the power and potential of TOF mass spectrometry for pesticide screening applications. When compared with historical screening tools (such as the use of triple-quad mass spectrometry), high performance accurate mass TOF systems offer several advantages for screening applications. These advantages include better resolution, unlimited multiple target capabilities, and the possibility to perform comprehensive and/or retrospective analysis on samples in silico at will.

The use of contrast agents in noninvasive diagnostics provides a specific and high-detailed picture of organs and makes it possible to differentiate between healthy and diseased tissue. Whilst radiocontrast agents (RCA) change the X-ray absorption of the radiographed organ relative to its surrounding tissue, contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are based on the use of magnetic fields caused by charged elementary particles such as protons and electrons. Compared to traditional X-ray imaging, MRI uses no ionizing radiation. MRI is based on the same principles as NMR spectroscopy and thus takes advantage of the absorption and emission of energy in the radiofrequency range.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Modified Gasoline Range Organics (Wisconsin GRO) Method is used to determine gasoline and gasoline components in water and soil. The optimal hydrocarbon range is from C6-C10 with a boiling point range from 60 ?C–220 ?C (1). The analysis of Wisconsin GRO is vital in determining the "composition and the origin of such products including weathered fuels leaking from underground storage tanks, spills in pipe lines and run-off from surface transportation" (2).

Method 552.1 is a GC method for determination of haloacetic acid and Dalapon in drinking, ground, raw, and other waters at any stage of treatment. This application uses a silica-based quaternary amine anion exchange cartridge, with exceptional recoveries.

This rapid LC–MS method shows sensitive and selective separation of five ethanolamine analytes in wastewater.

Organochlorine pesticides are man-made organic chemicals with a history of wide spread use in the United States, as well as globally.