Liquid and gas chromatographic separation of isomeric methylated dibenzothiophenes

Trace amounts of a dibenzothiophene (DBT) series in complex matrices were detected by gas chromatography with flame photometric detection (FPD) after purification and isolation by normal-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The gas chromatographic behavior of eleven methylated DBTs was studied on six common stationary phases. Complete resolution of the four monomethyl DBT isomers was only achieved on a capillary column coated with a methylphenylsilicone phase gummified in situ by heat-curing. The determination of the relative distribution of the four monomethylated isomers is proposed as a powerful method for monitoring oil pollution in marine environment.     

Electron capture ion mobility spectrometry for the selective detection of chlorinated and brominated species after capillary gas chromatography

This paper reports the first investigation of electron capture ion mobility spectrometry as a detection method for capillary gas chromatography. In previous work with negative ion mobility detection after gas chromatography, the principal reactant ion species were O₂^? or hydrated O₂^? due to the presence of oxygen in the drift gas. These molecular reactant ions have a mobility similar to chloride and bromide ions, which are the principal product ions formed by most halogenated organics via dissociative ion-molecule reactions. Oxygenated reactant ions thus interfere with the selective detection of chloride and bromide product ions. A recently described ion mobility detector design efficiently eliminated ambient impurities, including oxygen, from infiltrating the ionization region of the detector; consequently, in the negative mode of operation, the ionization species with N₂ drift gas were thermalized electrons. Thermalized electrons have a high mobility and their drift time occupies a region of the ion mobility spectrum not occupied by chloride, bromide, or other product ions. The result was improved selectivity for halogenated organics which ionize by dissociative electron capture. This was demonstrated by the selective detection of 4,4′-dibromobiphenyl from the components of a polychlorinated biphenyl mixture (Aroclor 1248).     

Multidimensional gas chromatography (MDC) in capillary columns using double oven instruments and a newly designed coupling piece for monitoring detection after pre-separation

Summary Eluate transfer between coupled columns by flow switching, backflushing of the pre-column, and other procedures of multidimensional chromatography (MDC) are invaluable techniques to save analysis time to improve resolution, to gain more and better chromatographic information and to prevent contamination of main (high resolution) column and detectors such as ECD and TID. It is of advantage to maintain the coupled columns at different temperatures. Double oven instruments should therefore be used with advantage in multidimensional gas chromatography (MDGC). Flow switching can be done in between and after the system of coupled columns. Also, reactors can be coupled to high resolution columns with advantage [5].Presented at the 14th International Symposium on Chromatography London, September, 1982     

Sensitive determination of perfluorocarbon tracers in air by intermediate trapping and GC-ECD analysis

This paper reports on the development of a simple method for the determination of two perfluorinated hydrocarbons (C₇F₁₄ and C₈F₁₆) in air down to 0.2 ng/m³, for long range atmospheric tracer experiments. The organic vapors are adsorbed on graphitized carbon black, desorbed thermally and determined by capillary GC-ECD at subambient temperature. Optimization of the experimental conditions is described. The tracers were tested in a field experiment where SF₆ was also released and the agreement was satisfactory.     

Determination and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in native vegetable oils,smoked fish products,mussels and oysters,and bream from the river Elbe

Twenty eight native vegetable oils were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Generally PAH concentrations were low, but olive oils showed significantly higher contamination by light PAH ranging from 53 to 105.6 μg/kg. Muscle and liver samples of bream from the river Elbe contained little or no detectable amounts of PAH, whereas fresh and canned oysters and mussels showed higher contaminations. Highest PAH concentrations have been determined in “smoked oysters in oil” with 75.8 μg/kg benzo[a] pyrene for the oil and 12.2 μg/kg for the oyster meat.     

Environmental analysis of chlorinated and brominated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry

A method for the analysis of chlorinated and brominated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (Cl-/Br-PAHs) congeners in environmental samples, such as a soil extract, by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to a high resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-HRTOF-MS) is described. The GC×GC-HRTOF-MS method allowed highly selective group type analysis in the two-dimensional (2D) mass chromatograms with a very narrow mass window (e.g. 0.02Da), accurate mass measurements for the full mass range (m/z 35-600) in GC×GC mode, and the calculation of the elemental composition for the detected Cl-/Br-PAH congeners in the real-world sample. Thirty Cl-/Br-PAHs including higher chlorinated 10 PAHs (e.g. penta, hexa and hepta substitution) and ClBr-PAHs (without analytical standards) were identified with high probability in the soil extract. To our knowledge, highly chlorinated PAHs, such as C(14)H(3)Cl(7) and C(16)H(3)Cl(7), and ClBr-PAHs, such as C(14)H(7)Cl(2)Br and C(16)H(8)ClBr, were found in the environmental samples for the first time. Other organohalogen compounds; e.g. polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were also detected. This technique provides exhaustive analysis and powerful identification for the unknown and unconfirmed Cl-/Br-PAH congeners in environmental samples.     

Analysis of dust and surface swab samples for octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and heptachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins by fused silica capillary GC with EC detection

A method is described for the analysis of contaminated building dust samples and surface swab samples for octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD) and heptachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (HpCDDs). The samples were analyzed by fused silica capillary GC combined with electron capture detection. Analysis was preceded by a short HPLC cleanup step designed to remove polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other compounds that might interfere. The method was found to work successfully on surface swab and dust samples known to contain PCBs, OCDD, and HpCDDs. The overall recovery of the analysis procedure for OCDD was found to be approximately 80%. The detection limit for the method was sample dependent, but for one typical set of surface swab samples was 0.2 μg/m² of OCDD.     

Coupled LC-GC-MS for on-line clean-up,separation, and identification of chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at picogram levels in urban air

Coupled liquid chromatography – gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (LC-GC-MS) has been applied for on-line clean up, separation, and identification of chlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (CI-PAHs). A loop-type interface was used to couple the liquid chromatograph on-line with the GC-MS, and concurrent solvent evaporation was used for sample transfer. A back-flush technique was used in conjunction with a two-dimensional column system for isolation of CI-PAHs and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This fraction was transferred on-line to the GC and separated on a capillary column. Selective and sensitive detection of CI-PAHs in the GC eluate was obtained by negative ion chemical ionization (NICI) mass spectrometry and selected ion monitoring (SIM). The combined on-line system for isolation, separation, and identification showed high precision and accuracy, and demonstrated a linear response from 1 to 1000 pg for chlorinated PAHs. The estimated detection limit was 250 fg for 1-chloropyrene and 1,6-dichloropyrene. The technique was demonstrated by analysis of urban air samples. The low detection limit made it possible to use the technique for analysis of personally carried monitoring equipment for measurement of exposure to CI-PAHs in the work environment.     

Determination of carboxylic acids and phenols in water by extractive alkylation using pentafluorobenzylation,glass capillary GC and electron capture detection

A method is presented for the simultaneous determination of a wide range of carboxylic acids and phenols in water. Extractive alkylation is used with the tetrabutylammonium ion as counter ion and pentafluorobenzylbromide as alkylating agent. Extracts are analyzed by glass capillary gas chromatography and electron capture detection. Using one ml of water sample, the detection limit lies in the range of 1–10 μg/l. Application has been made to the analysis of steam condensate and domestic sewage effluent.     

Analytical application of carbon nanotubes,fullerenes and nanodiamonds in nanomaterials-based chromatographic stationary phases: A review

An overview of the most significative results so far attained in the application of carbon nanotubes, fullerenes and nanodiamonds as chromatographic separation media is presented. In particular, the authors focus on their use in capillary and packed-column gas chromatography, in high performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrochromatography, paying also attention to recently developed stationary phases for fast chromatography and nanochromatography. The performance of the nanomaterials is compared to that of planar and amorphous carbon sorbents and critically discussed in regard to retentive capability and selectivity. A wide part of this review is devoted to the most recent improvements achieved in terms of selectivity by use of functionalized nanotubes and by combination of carbon nanotubes with ionic liquids. Practical aspects of synthetic procedures in preparing novel stationary phases in relationship with their chromatographic behaviour are also commented.     

An overview of sample preparation and extraction of synthetic pyrethroids from water,sediment and soil

The latest developments in sample preparation and extraction of synthetic pyrethroids from environmental matrices viz., water, sediment and soil were reviewed. Though the synthetic pyrethroids were launched in 1970s, to the best of authors’ knowledge there was no review on this subject until date. The present status and recent advances made during the last 10 years in sample preparation including conservation and extraction techniques used in determination of synthetic pyrethroids in water, sediment and soil were discussed. Pre- and post-extraction treatments, sample stability during extraction and its influence upon the whole process of analytical determination were covered. Relative merits and demerits including the green aspects of extraction were evaluated. The current trends and future prospects were also addressed.     

Streamlined sample cleanup using combined dispersive solid-phase extraction and in-vial filtration for analysis of pesticides and environmental pollutants in shrimp

A new method of sample preparation was developed and is reported for the first time. The approach combines in-vial filtration with dispersive solid-phase extraction (d-SPE) in a fast and convenient cleanup of QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) extracts. The method was applied to simultaneous analysis of 42 diverse pesticides and 17 environmental contaminants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and flame retardants, in shrimp as the sample matrix. Final extracts were analyzed by both low-pressure gas chromatography – triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (LPGC-MS/MS), and high-performance liquid chromatography – triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) to provide a wide scope of analysis for targeted analytes. During method development, several different commercial sorbents for d-SPE were investigated and compared with respect to analyte recoveries. The method was validated at 10, 50, and 100 ng g⁻¹ spiking levels (10-fold lower for PCBs), and the results for nearly all analytes were between 70 and 115% recoveries with ≤17% relative standard deviations. The method was shown to be simple, fast, and effective for multi-application analysis of chemical residues in the representative food and environmental marker matrix.     

Application of carbon-based nanomaterials in sample preparation: A review

In this paper, a broad overview on the applications of different carbon-based nanomaterials, including nanodiamonds, fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, graphene, carbon nanofibers, carbon nanocones-disks and nanohorns, as well as their functionalized forms, in sample preparation is provided. Particular attention has been paid to graphene because many papers regarding its application in this research field are becoming available. The distinctive properties, derivatization methods and application techniques of these materials were summarized and compared. According to their research status and perspective, these nanomaterials were classified in four groups (I: graphene and carbon nanotubes; II: carbon nanofibers; III: fullerenes; and IV: nanodiamonds, carbon nanocones/disks and carbon nanohorns) and characteristics and future trends of every group were discussed.     

Analytical chemistry of the persistent organic pollutants identified in the Stockholm Convention: A review

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are major environmental concern due to their persistence, long-range transportability, bio-accumulation and potentially adverse effects on living organisms. Analytical chemistry plays an essential role in the measurement of POPs and provides important information on their distribution and environmental transformations. Much effort has been devoted during the last two decades to the development of faster, safer, more reliable and more sensitive analytical techniques for these pollutants. Since the Stockholm Convention (SC) on POPs was adopted 12 years ago, analytical methods have been extensively developed. This review article introduces recent analytical techniques and applications for the determination of POPs in environmental and biota samples, and summarizes the extraction, separation and instrumental analyses of the halogenated POPs. Also, this review covers important aspects for the analyses of SC POPs (e.g. lipid determination and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC)), and finally discusses future trends for improving the POPs analyses and for potential new POPs.