Environmental Analysis

How to lower the limits of quantitation as the regulatory landscape continues to evolve.

Exploring the concerns surrounding the use of organotin compounds and their impact on the environment and potential toxicity to mammals.

The Column spoke to Brett Paull from the University of Tasmania in Hobart, Australia, about the development of truly portable LC systems for use in the pharmaceutical industry and in environmental analysis. Why are they necessary, and where can improvements still be made?

Are generic workflows really needed in environmental analysis? In the end, it is the analyst— not instrumentation or software—that is in charge of what data are obtained, after thoughtfully considering what sample preparation and acquisition method to use.

The Column spoke to Philipp Weller from the Institute of Instrumental Analytics and Bioanalytics at the Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, Germany, about the benefits of nontargeted screening approaches in food safety and environmental analysis using GC–IMS, and the best way to approach data processing and model building with the generated data.

A TD–GC×GC–TOF-MS method for malodour detection

Newer direct-injection mass spectrometry techniques can improve real-time monitoring of volatile organic compounds.

How to successfully identify and measure PFAS and adapt to the evolving regulatory requirements for a wide variety of sample matrices using LC–MS/MS

Perfluorinated carbonic and sulfonic acids were determined by SPE–LC–MS/MS

Sample preparation primarily for water samples in PFAS.

The Column spoke to Stefan Van Leeuwen and Bjorn Berendsen about a novel nontargeted approach to analyze PFASs using LC–HRMS with FIF.

Microextraction techniques have evolved since their appearance three decades ago, moving toward the use of greener and sustainable materials and solvents.

An improved LC–MS/MS method that can rapidly detect fipronil, an insecticide harmful to human health, is presented here for chicken eggs, feed, and soil.

How can we monitor the source and environmental impact of neglected oil and gas acquisition sites, and assess their impact over time?

There is a need for fast and reliable PFAS analyses to monitor drinking water quality. We report on the use of semi-automated sample preparation with EPA methods 533 and 537.1, assessing performance and processing time.

How can we monitor the source and environmental impact of neglected oil and gas acquisition sites, and assess their impact over time?

Researchers have developed a QuEChERS method with LC–QTOF-MS to determine 50 wastewater‑borne pollutants utilizing earthworms.

Decomposing animal tissue releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs), of interest in forensic science. We describe the use of GC×GC–qMS/FID retrofitted with a reverse fill/flush (RFF) flow modulator for analyzing these VOCs in a tropical climate.

Recently, the concept of environmental and social corporate governance (ESG) has received greater focus, particularly in the oil and gas industry. Its implementation offers opportunities for analytical chemists to help achieve greater sustainability.

Pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry has advantages for the analysis of environmental microplastic samples compared to other leading analytical methods, including spectroscopic techniques.

In April 2020, on the heels of the pandemic shutdown, the price of crude oil fell to a negative value for the first time ever. The shutdown hit many oil and gas companies hard. But while companies lick their wounds and decide their next moves, an important concept called environmental and social corporate governance (ESG) has come greater into focus.

A highly sensitive method for quantitative determination of contaminants in surface waters, with and without particulate matter, was tested using stir-bar sorptive extraction (SBSE).

Uncovering the benefits of a system that hyphenates ion chromatography, titration, and direct measurement, in environmental analysis of water samples.

Exploring a new TD method capable of simultaneous analysis of compounds with a wide range of boiling points, high sensitivity, and high restore rates.

A hybrid HILIC–ion exchange column was used for the analysis of ultrashort-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) compounds in environmental waters. This direct injection LC–MS method enables simultaneous measurement of ultrashort- chain, alternative, and legacy PFAS in potable and non-potable waters.

A comprehensive monitoring protocol has been developed using GC–MS/ECD in selective ion monitoring (SIM) mode, with injection performed by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and headspace (HS). This single system has been configured to analyze for all taste and odor (T&O) compounds in Standard Method 2170, with minimal changing of columns, injectors, or SPME fibers between methods.

This article explores the role of SPE sorbents for analyte recovery rates and method accuracy to develop clean samples for analysis and to reach lower limits of detection.

Environmental laboratories with high sample throughput often wish to analyze PCDD/Fs and PCBs in separate fractions. The cleanup method described here results in complete separation, and offers an alternative to fully manual or fully automated cleanup.

Microplastic pollution in the environment is a major concern for governments and companies worldwide attempting to understand and reduce the damage they cause. As well as the direct damage these plastic pellets can also act as chemical reservoirs that leach chemical contaminants into the environment and further damage ecosystems. The Column spoke to Manuel Miró from the University of the Balearic Islands, Spain, about his research into the pollution caused by chemical leaching from microplastics.

Environmental analysis of water presents many challenges, one of which is the potential presence of unknown contaminants. LCGC spoke to Imma Ferrer, an associate research scientist at the University of Colorado, USA, about some of her recent research on nontargeted analysis of water, including water from wastewater treatment plants, hydraulic fracturing wastewater, and environmental water samples.