Challenges of gas chromatography-high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry for simultaneous analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and other halogenated persistent organic pollutants in environmental samples

The potential of a gas chromatographic method employing high-resolution time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry was evaluated for detection of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the environmental matrices represented by fish and river sediment. Two ionisation techniques, viz. electron ionisation (EI) and negative ion chemical ionisation (NICI), the latter with methane as a reagent gas, were used in this study. While the instrumental lowest calibration levels (LCLs) obtained in El were in the range from 1 to 5 pg, their values ranged between 10 to 250 fg in NICI mode. This enhancement in detectability of target analytes enabled identification/quantification of even minor PBDE congeners, and consequently, improved characterisation of particular sample contamination patterns. In addition, this method allowed estimation of the PCB levels in examined samples. CB 153 was used as a contamination marker in this study.     

太湖水体中有机污染物的分析

利用超临界流体萃取与热脱附两种样品预自理方法的优势互补,与气相色谱分析相结合对太湖水体中不同沸点有机污染物进行了分析,发现太湖水中除了烃类污染物外还存在大量含氮有机污染物。其分布表明入湖河道中排放的工业污染物的流入是导致太湖水富营养化的一个重要因素。     

基于液相色谱-质谱联用技术的妊娠期糖尿病患者脐带血代谢组学网络分析

妊娠期糖尿病（GDM）患病率呈现逐年上升的趋势，探究其对母婴之间代谢影响变得尤为重要。该研究基于液相色谱-质谱的代谢组学技术，分析GDM条件下脐带血血清代谢组的变化。采用正交偏最小二乘判别分析模型（OPLS-DA）与网络模型结合进行分析。结果表明代谢标志物花生四烯酸（AA）为关键代谢网络节点。通路分析显示，GDM会引起不饱和脂肪酸代谢异常，而该通路变化可能是GDM影响母婴代谢的重要分子机制。该文建立的代谢组学网络分析方法为研究GDM母婴间代谢变化提供了新的思路。     

Reliable screening of pesticide residues in maternal and umbilical cord sera by gas chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry

The widespread use of pesticides induces heavy adverse effects on human health,especially for the pregnant women and the newborns.In this study,a screening method has been developed for the determination of multi-pesticides in maternal and umbilical cord sera.All pesticides in sera were collected using solid phase extraction(SPE),and analyzed by gas chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry(GC-QTOF MS).To set up the quality criteria,a database of 50 pesticides was created and the accurate masses of 3 up to 5 representative ions with their intensity ratios were included for each pesticide.In addition,a novel"identification points"(IPs)system relying on the accurate MS1 and MS2 spectra was used to interpret the data for each suspected pesticide.The methodology was then applied to a pair of maternal and umbilical cord sera.A total of six pesticide residues were screened out successfully.In conclusion,GC-QTOF MS combined with an accurate mass database seemed to be one of the most efficient tools for systematic pesticide analysis.     

Review of the QuEChERS method for the analysis of organic pollutants: Persistent organic pollutants,polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,and pharmaceuticals

In multi-residue pesticide analysis, the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction method has replaced less efficient traditional extraction methods due to its many advantages. In addition to pesticide analysis, this method has been widely used for the detection and analysis of pharmaceuticals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and several persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls, perfluoroalkyl substances, and brominated flame retardants in food, biological, and environmental matrices. The analysis of PAHs and POPs is challenging due to the properties of the target compounds and their low concentrations in complex matrices. This review summarizes previously reported the QuEChERS extraction approaches to the analysis of a wide range of analytes. The QuEChERS approaches, which include dispersive solid phase extraction (d-SPE), have generally been combined with either gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) or liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) analysis. Further on, in recent years, GC and LC-tandem mass spectrometry has been utilized with the QuEChERS extraction due to its high selectivity, sensitivity, and specificity. This enables the extraction methods for target analytes to be modified through the selection of different extraction solvents, salt formulations, and buffers for salting-out partitioning and the selection of different d-SPE and SPE sorbents for the clean-up process. The most significant advantage of this method is that concentration steps are not required. This review aims to provide an up-to-date overview of information regarding the modification of extraction techniques based on target compounds and sample matrices.     

Advances in immunochemical technologies for analysis of organic pollutants in the environment

Due to the increasing number of organic pollutants, implementation of European Union Directives calls for rapid, reliable, cost-effective, and smart technologies for water analysis.

Immunoaffinity of an antibody to an antigen has been used for the development of a wide variety of analytical techniques applicable in environmental monitoring. This article reflects recent advances in development and application of immunochemical techniques for environmental analysis and monitoring of organic pollutants. We briefly summarize several examples. We especially emphasize current trends and future perspectives in immunosensor configurations, including nanotechnology, miniaturization, and multi-sensor array development, and we discuss the advantages and the limitations of these.     

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and strategies for trace-level analysis of polar organic pollutants

Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry using atmospheric pressure ionization (LC–API-MS) has drastically changed the analytical methods used to detect polar pollutants in water. The present status of application of this technique to organic water constituents is reviewed. The selection of the appropriate LC conditions, whether reversed-phase liquid chromatography, ion-pair chromatography, capillary electrophoresis or ion chromatography, and of the most sensitive ionization mode, electrospray ionization (ESI) or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), depends upon the polarity and acidity of the analytes. Strongly acidic compounds such as aromatic sulfonates, sulfonated dyes, haloacetic acids, linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, aliphatic sulfonates and sulfates and complexing agents, weakly acidic compounds such as carboxylates and phenols, neutral compound classes, namely alkylphenol ethoxylates, alcohol ethoxylates and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and the basic toxins, quaternary ammonium compounds and organometallic compounds are considered. The selection of the mass spectrometer depends upon the analytical task: triple-quadrupole mass spectrometers are highly suited for sensitive quantitation and for qualitative analyses, ion traps are especially suited for structure elucidation, whereas time-of-flight mass spectrometers and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometers with their higher mass resolution are ideal for the determination of molecular formulas of unknown compounds and for screening purposes. While large steps have already been made, future efforts with respect to water analysis may be directed at fine-tuning the methodical arsenal for increased sensitivity and selectivity and to extend LC–MS application to transformation products.     

基于色谱-质谱联用的新型有机污染物分析方法与技术

新型有机污染物是目前国内外关注的热点。在发现和分析新型有机污染物方面色谱-质谱联用技术发挥着至关重要的作用。本文对5类新型有机污染物(全氟化合物、药物、饮用水消毒副产物、农药转化产物和新农药、溴化阻燃剂)的主要色谱-质谱联用技术进行了介绍和评价,并对色谱-质谱联用的发展趋势进行了展望。     

Paper chromatography of fatty acids and halogenated organic acids

A paper chromatographic method is described for the identification of the volatile fatty acids and some of their bromo- and iodo-derivatives. Some new spraying reagents are suggested which enable the different classes of acids to be detected in presence of one another.     

Radiation induced decomposition of halogenated organic compounds in water

Decomposition by ionizing radiations of p-chlorophenol and tetrachloroethylene in synthetic water samples at about 2 mg Cl L⁻¹, has been studied on laboratory-scale experiments. Bicarbonate/carbonate and nitrate ions, at two concentration levels (20 and 200 mg HCO₃⁻¹ and 1 and 50 mg NO₃⁻L⁻) were added to synthetic samples in order to evaluate their influence on decomposition yield. At 5 kGy γ dose level, a quantitative degradation of p-chlorophenol is obtained whereas only qualitative consideration can be drawn on tetracholoroethylene. Comparative study with respect to degradation of p-cholophenol solutions (about 2 mg Cl L⁻¹) by γ-rays and electron beam irradiation treatment at 0.5 kGy dose level, are in progress; preliminary results indicate that irradiation with γ-rays seems to be more efficient in terms of removal efficiency respect to electron beams source.     

Peak tailoring concept in gas chromatographic analysis of volatile organic pollutants in the atmosphere

An automated gas chromatographic system aiming at performing unattended analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was developed in laboratory. To encompass VOCs of a wide range of volatility, two different designs of enrichment and separation methods were adopted and compared with performance in analyzing ozone precursors of C3-C12. In the dual-trap dual-column design, lower boiling species (C3-C6) are enriched and separated by one set of trap and column (porous layer open tubular (PLOT)), whereas the enrichment and separation for the higher boiling species (C6-C12) are performed by the other set (wall-coated open tubular (WCOT)). Undesired peaks also inevitably appear on both chromatograms often causing annoyances. To reduce complexity of both the apparatus and the resulting chromatograms, the heart-cut technique was adopted as a base for developing a system, which only uses one trap and one flame ionization detector for constructing two-dimensional GC with PLOT and DB-1. Methods were developed to allow the auxiliary flow pressure in the heart-cut device to be programmed to create dual effects, which not only can perform regular heart-cut actions but can also temporally hold up species in the precolumn for prescribed time intervals. Because it is characteristic for PLOT chromatograms to have reproducible blank retention time windows, segments of a DB-1 trace are produced by the auxiliary flow program aligning perfectly in time with the gaps of the PLOT trace. Subsequently, the two column flows are merged and channeled into single flame ionization detector to produce a very condensed "tailored" chromatogram which is equivalent to overlaying a PLOT and a DB-1 chromatogram on top of each other, except that no peaks are overlapped. This innovative "peak tailoring" concept based on the heart-cut technique is simple in design, easy to build, and extremely rugged for long-term continuous operation as fewer moving parts are involved, which is beneficial for deploying in remote monitoring stations.     

Concentration and determination of trace organic pollutants in water

Organic pollutants in water are isolated on a mini-sampler tube containing a macroporous resin. The sorbed pollutants are next thermally transferred to a second sorption tube and then to an analytical column where they are separated and determined by temperature-programmed gas chromatography. Excellent recoveries were obtained for tests in which model organic compounds of various classes were added to water. The water sample is much smaller than that required with previous analytical methods.     

Microdetermination of chlorine or bromine in highly halogenated organic compounds

The microdetermination of chlorine or bromine in highly halogenated com pounds is described. The oxygen flask is used for aromatic, aliphatic and liquid sam ples with high halogen contents. A microfusion method for some of these compounds is also discussed. As many compounds as possible covering different structures were analysed. Satisfactory results were obtained.     

Capillary columns in series for GC analysis of volatile organic pollutants in atmospheric and alveolar air

Analysis of volatile organic compounds in air samples requires high resolution capillary gas chromatography. When the sample contains both polar and non-polar compounds, use of only one type of stationary phase can be unsuitable if it leads to the preferential separation of one kind of component having the same polarity at the expense of the separation of other classes of component. This paper describes the coupling of fused silica capillary columns of different polarity and length in order to achieve the separation of such complex mixtures. The combination is evaluated with a 42 component standard mixture and then applied to various atmospheric air samples and alveolar air of exposed subjects to demonstrate the capabilities of the complete sampling and separation technique.     

Integrated pulsed amperometry for the analysis of organic compounds

Integrated pulsed amperometric detection (IPAD) was applied for the detection of organic compounds for flow injection analysis. The pulse waveform used in the integrated pulsed amperometry consisted of three steps: detection potential, oxidation potential, and adsorption potential. The pulse waveform was applied to the working electrode as the analyte flowed through the electrochemical cell. Unlike ordinary pulsed amperometry, a faradaic current was integrated over the duration period of the detection potential in the IPAD. Therefore, the total charge was measured by integrating the current after the detection potential was applied. The current for the initial 10 ms, after applying the detection potential, was excluded from the integration due to a large charging current at the initial period. Compared with pulsed amperometry, integrated pulsed amperometry provides a better signal-to-noise ratio and a lower detection limit. This method was applied to the quantitative analysis of thiourea as a representative analyte of organosulfur compounds in a flow injection analysis.     

Iodometric microdetermination of chlorine and bromine in some highly halogenated organic compounds

Summary Highly halogenated organic compounds are combusted in a oxygen flask using water as absorbant in the case of chlorine and 0.05% hydrogen peroxide in the case of bromine. The halogenide ion formed is determined by an iodometric procedure. Results showed an average error of ± 0.1% for Cl and ± 0.2% for Br. They are in close agreement with those obtained by a mercurimetric titration. The iodometric titration is to be preferred because of simplicity and rapidity

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Jodometrische Mikrobestimmung von Chlor und Brom in einigen hochhalogenisierten organischen Verbindungen

Zusammenfassung Die Verbindung wird im Sauerstoffkolben verbrannt, wobei Wasser (Cl) bzw. 0,05%ige Wasserstoffperoxidlösung (Br) als Absorptionsmittel verwendet werden. Die gebildeten Halogenide werden jodometrisch bestimmt. Der durchschnittliche Fehler beträgt ± 0,1% (Cl) bzw. ± 0,2% (Br). Die Ergebnisse stimmen gut mit mercurimetrisch erhaltenen überein. Die jodometrische Titration ist wegen der einfachen und schnellen Durchführbarkeit vorzuziehen.

     

全二维气相色谱分析持久性有机污染物的应用进展

持久性有机污染物（POPs）组分复杂,在自然界中超痕量存在,其分离分析十分困难。全二维气相色谱（GC×GC）作为一种新型色谱技术,与传统的一维气相色谱相比,具有峰容量大、分辨率和灵敏度高等优势,越来越广泛地应用于环境有机污染物的分析。该文综述了近十年来全二维气相色谱在持久性有机污染物分析中的应用进展,主要包括全二维气相色谱在解决一些复杂POPs定性定量分析难题方面的应用,如二恶英、毒杀芬和短链氯化石蜡等;概述了全二维气相色谱对多种POPs同时定性定量分析的应用进展;讨论了全二维气相色谱在非目标有机污染物筛查分析中的应用,并对发展趋势及相关应用前景进行了总结展望。     

Solid-phase microextraction using pencil lead as sorbent for analysis of organic pollutants in water

Most solid-phase microextraction methods are based on poly (dimethylsiloxane)-coated silica fibers. Is the present study, pencil lead was used as an alternative sorbent for solid-phase imcroextraction. Its application to three organic pollutants with different polarity in water was investigated. The detection limit for determination by gas chromatography with electron capture detector was 0.005 ng ml⁻¹ for lindane, 0.05 ng ml⁻¹ for methyl parathion and 1 ng ml⁻¹ for 2-chlorophenol. The presence of dissolved humic substances (10 mg l⁻¹) in water did not affect the extraction of the three analytes.     

Preconcentration of gaseous organic pollutants in the atmosphere

Three basic methods of preconcentration of organic atmospheric pollutants, viz. by cold trap, absorption in solutions and adsorption on solids at ambient temperature, and methods of liberating the trapped components, are discussed. Adsorption on solids is becoming more widely employed because of its advantages, and selection of the most appropriate sorbent for a given group of pollutants is of major importance. The characteristics of individual types of sorbents are presented, as well as the basic methods of determination of sorption capacity.