Influence of weakly bound adduct ions on breath trace gas analysis by selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS)

This paper describes how weakly bound adduct ions form when the precursor ions used in selected ion flow mass spectrometry, SIFT-MS, analyses, viz. H₃O⁺, NO⁺ and O₂⁺, associate with the major components of air and exhaled breath, N₂, O₂ and CO₂. These adduct ions, which include H₃O⁺N₂, H₃O⁺CO₂, NO⁺CO₂, O₂⁺O₂ and O₂⁺CO₂, are clearly seen when dry air containing 5% CO₂ (typical of that in exhaled breath) is analysed using SIFT-MS. These adduct ions must not be misinterpreted as characteristic product ions of trace gases; if so, serious analytical errors can result. However, when exhaled breath is analysed these adduct ions are partly removed by ligand switching reactions with the abundant water molecules and the problems they represent are alleviated. But the small fractions of the adduct ions that remain in the SIFT-MS spectra, and especially when they are isobaric with genuine characteristic product ion of breath trace gases, can result in erroneous quantifications; such is the case for H₃O⁺N₂ interfering with breath ethanol analysis and H₃O⁺CO₂ with breath acetaldehyde analysis. However, these difficulties can be overcome when the isobaric adduct ions are properly recognised and excluded from the analyses; then these two important compounds can be properly quantified in breath. The presence of O₂⁺CO₂ in the product ion spectra interferes with the analysis of CS₂ present at low levels in exhaled breath. It is likely that similar problems will occur as other trace compounds are detected in exhaled breath when consideration will have to be given to the possibility of overlapping between their characteristic product ions and ions produced by hitherto unknown reactions. Similar problems are evident in other systems; for example, H₃O⁺CH₄ adduct ions are observed in both SIFT-MS analyses of methane rich mixtures like biologically generated waste gases and in model planetary atmospheres.     

New methodologies in trace analysis of volatile organic compounds

Two methods for sampling and concentration of volatile organic compounds are reported. In the first method, traps coated with a very thick film (ca. 100 μm) of cross-linked silicone stationary phase are employed. Such thick films can be prepared with a modified dynamic coating procedure, which is briefly described. The low phase ratio traps can be utilized for enrichment of volatiles from gaseous as well as aqueous matrices. The second technique is based on chromatographic evaporation of a solvent in a capillary tube, where the process is sustained by a repeated sample injection and a cyclic flow reversal. In this way, large solvent volumes can be handled by a small volume system. Under optimal conditions, when using a solvent barrier, quantitative recovery is possible even for compounds of comparatively high volatility. Another important application of the technique is extraction of trace components from gases such as headspace samples, polluted air, etc.     

On-line, real time monitoring of exhaled trace gases by SIFT-MS in the perioperative setting: a feasibility study

A study is described of the first on line, real time analyses of the exhaled breath of five anaesthetized patients during the complete perioperative periods of laparoscopic surgery. These breath analyses were achieved using a selected ion flow tube, SIFT-MS, instrument, located in the operating theatre at an acceptable distance from the operating table, and coupled to the endotracheal tube in the ventilation circuit via a 5 metre long capillary tube. Thus, inhalation/exhalation breathing cycles, set to be at a frequency of 10 per minute, were sampled continuously for water vapour, the metabolites acetone and isoprene and the propofol used to induce anaesthesia for each operating period that ranged from 20 min (shortest) to 80 min (longest). Whilst there was some loss of water vapour along the long sampling line, the concentrations of the other trace compounds were not diminished. The breath acetone was essentially at a constant level for each patient, but increased somewhat over the longest operating period due to the onset of lipolysis. Most interesting is the clear increase of breath isoprene following abdomen inflation with carbon dioxide. The vapour of the intravenously injected propofol was detected in the exhaled breath and remained essentially constant during the perioperative period. These analyses were performed totally non-invasively and the data were immediately and constantly available to the anaesthetist and surgeon. Exploitation of this development could influence decision making and potentially improve patient safety within the perioperative setting.     

Solid phase extraction for sample preparation in trace analysis of ionogenic compounds by capillary isotachophoresis

Various sorbents recommended for solid phase extraction (SPE) in sample preparation procedures were studied for use in combination with capillary isotachophoresis (ITP). They were very efficient in achieving trace concentration levels (low ppb, i.e., low parts per 10⁹) for different types of ITP analytes present in environmental and biological matrices. A macroporous carbon sorbent was convenient for sample preparation in ITP analysis of short chain fatty acids (C₄–C₉) in drinking water. Chelating sorbents based on hydroxyalkyl methacrylate matrix with salicylate, thioglycolate and 8-hydroxyquinolinate functionalities were found to be very suitable for preconcentration of heavy metals with an inherent sample clean-up. An octadecyl-bonded silica sorbent enabled in ITP a photometric detection of -aminobutyrate (labeled with a 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl group) at concentrations considerably lower than required for the determination of this amino acid in cerebrospinal fluid (5·10^–8 mol/l).     

Quantification of volatile sulfur compounds in complex gaseous matrices by solid-phase microextraction

Procedures were assessed for quantifying nine volatile sulfur compounds found in complex gaseous samples collected at a biogas-production plant and a sewage treatment plant. The target compounds were extracted by solid-phase microextraction (using the 75-microm Carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane fiber coating) at 22 degrees C for 20 min, and analyzed by GC-MS. Detection limits ranged between 1 pptv (v/v) for carbon disulfide and 470 pptv (v/v) for hydrogen sulfide. High amounts of organic compounds were found during full-scan analysis of the samples and standard additions to individual sub-samples revealed that the analysis was subject to matrix effects. However, the functions obtained by standard additions were still linear and quantification was possible for all the compounds tested except hydrogen sulfide. No detectable losses were observed during storage in the sampling containers, made of Tedlar film, over a storage period of 20 h. However, water permeated through the walls and the relative humidity in the bag increased during storage until it reached the ambient level. Finally, it was shown that the drying agent, CaCl2, caused no detectable losses of any of the compounds.     

Detection of gaseous organic compounds by their infra-red emission stimulated by a laser beam

Excitation by a carbon dioxide laser has been used to obtain the infra-red emission spectra of a number of gaseous aliphatic hydrocarbons. The experimental set-up is described and the spectra obtained are correlated with bond vibrations and are shown to be similar to infra-red absorption spectra. The future requirements of this technique are discussed and its analytical possibilities are indicated.     

Needle microextraction trap for on-site analysis of airborne volatile compounds at ultra-trace levels in gaseous samples

Different capillary needle trap (NT) configurations are studied and compared to evaluate the suitability of this methodology for screening in the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air samples at ultra-trace levels. Totally, 22 gauge needles with side holes give the best performance and results, resulting in good sampling flow reproducibility as well as fast and complete NT conditioning and cleaning. Two different types of sorbent are evaluated: a graphitized carbon (Carbopack X) and a polymeric sorbent (Tenax TA). Optimized experimental conditions were desorption in the GC injector at 300°C, no make-up gas to help the transport of the desorbed compounds to the GC column, 1 min splitless time for injection/desorption, and leaving the NT in the hot injector for about 20 min. Cross-contamination is avoided when samples containing high VOC levels (above likely breakthrough values) are evaluated. Neither carryover nor contamination is detected for storage times up to 48 h at 4°C. The method developed is applied for the analysis of indoor air, outdoor air and breath samples. The results obtained are equivalent to those obtained with other thermal desorption devices but have the advantage of using small sample volumes, being simpler, more economical and more robust than conventional methodologies used for VOC analysis in air samples.     

Determination of trace amounts of phosphorus in organic compounds by wickbold combustion

Summary Wickbold combustion in a standard quartz apparatus with a suction burner is suitable for phosphorus determination in acetonesoluble materials if the samples are burned together with an organic halide, e. g. carbon tetrachloride. Probably phosphorus halides are formed which pass through the hot parts of the apparatus fast enough not to react with the quartz walls. The recovery is 95–100% for amounts of phosphorus up to 3.5 mg per combustion.

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Bestimmung von Phosphorspuren in organischen Verbindungen durch Wickbold-Verbrennung

Zusammenfassung Die Wickbold-Verbrennung in einer normalen Quarz-Apparatur mit Saugbrenner ist zur Phosphor-Bestimmung in acetonlöslichen Substanzen geeignet, wenn gleichzeitig mit den Proben eine organische Halogen-Verbindung, z. B. Tetrachlorkohlenstoff, verbrannt wird. Vermutlich werden dabei Phosphorhalogenide gebildet, die die heißen Zonen der Apparatur so schnell passieren, daß keine Reaktion mit den Quarzwänden stattfindet. Die Wiederfindungsrate für Phosphormengen bis 3,5 mg pro Verbrennung beträgt 95–100%.

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Presented at the 8th International Microchemical Symposium, Graz, August 25–30, 1980.     

Sampling of gaseous trace constituents from air on active carbon

Next to the collection of particulate matter from air by micropore filtration, gaseous trace constituents may be sampled by an additional or separate active carbon cartridge. Either reversible or irreversible adsorption results. Important respective applications are the assay ²²²Rn (emanation) and the collection of mercury vapor. Formulation of both cases and their consequences for routine application are given here. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Photometric determination of trace selenium in aqueous media

A new procedure is developed for the photometric determination of trace selenium in aqueous solutions. The selection of 2-(p-nitrophenyl)-3,5-diphenyltetrazolium chloride as a reagent for selenium is justified. The proposed sample preparation procedure involves gas extraction of selenium as hydrogen selenide followed by its liquid-adsorption extraction from the gas phase to an aqueous reagent solution with the formation of a water-insoluble formazan. Formazan formed upon the absorption of hydrogen selenide is extracted with isoamyl alcohol. The concentration of selenium is determined from the absorbance of the formazan extract in the isoamyl alcohol. The procedure allows the determination of 10–120 μg/L selenium.     

Determination of trace amounts of dissolved mercury compounds by instrumental neutron activation analysis following a selective preconcentration

Using an aniline sulfur resin for the selective enrichment of mercurials from surface waters it is possible to determine ppb amounts of mercury by INAA within less than three days after irradiation. Interferences from other elements, especially Na, Se, U and Au, can be avoided by following defined preconcentration and elution conditions.     

Ambient analysis by thermal desorption atmospheric pressure photoionization

Ambient mass spectrometry has attracted substantial attention in recent years. Among ambient ionization methods, thermal desorption ionization stands out because of two attributes: (1) simplicity, rendering the technique suitable for in-field applications, and (2) ability to couple with a variety of gas-phase ionization methods thereby broadening the range of molecules that can be analyzed with this method. Here, we report on improving the performance of a direct analysis in real time (DART) source by implementing atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) downstream of the desorption region. At identical desorption and ion sampling conditions, APPI leads to detection of radical molecular ions from non-polar compounds that are absent from the spectra generated by DART alone. Moreover, a factor of 3–5 improvement in sensitivity is observed using APPI for positive ions commonly detected by DART and DART-APPI. Using helium and nitrogen as desorption gases, APPI shows identical performance regardless of desorption gas type. In contrast, a dramatic decrease in sensitivity is observed for DART operated with nitrogen compared to DART with helium. Comparable performance for DART and DART-APPI are observed in negative ion mode, although both show a drastic improvement in the absence of the Vapur interface. This interface creates a differentially pumped chamber prior to inlet of the mass spectrometer and reduces the mass spectrometer gas load when helium is used as desorption gas.     

Gas-phase cleanup method for analysis of trace atmospheric semivolatile organic compounds by thermal desorption from diffusion denuders

A novel gas-phase cleanup method was developed for use with a thermal desorption method for analysis of trace semivolatile organic compounds (SOCs) in the atmosphere using diffusion denuder samplers to separate gas-phase from particle-associated fractions. The cleanup selectively removed hydrogen-bonding chemicals from samples, including much of the background matrix of oxidized organic compounds that is present in ambient air samples. Abraham solvation parameters were found to be useful predictors of recovery of compounds through the cleanup method; most compounds with A + B < 0.3 and L ≤ 12.3 were fully recovered through the cleanup method. Addition of the cleanup method successfully produced baseline resolution in air samples and improved method precision. The utility of the method was demonstrated in an investigation of the built environment as a continuing source of semivolatile persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals (PBTs) to the atmosphere.     

Optimisation of a gas chromatographic method for trace gaseous impurities in nitrogen trifluoride by column sequence reversal

Highly reactive fluorinated gaseous matrices require special equipment and techniques for the gas chromatographic analysis of trace impurities in these gases. The impurities that were analysed at the low mg/L levels included dioxygen (O2), dinitrogen (N2), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Carbon tetrafluoride (CF4) is also present in the product at levels of 20-400mg/L and had to be analysed as well. This paper compares the use of a custom-built dual-channel gas chromatograph utilising single column back flush switching on one channel for the determination of O2, N2, CH4 and CO with column sequence reversal on a second channel for the determination of CO2, N2O, SF6 and CF4 to a similar system using a combination of dual-column back flush and heart-cut configurations. Pulsed discharge helium ionisation detectors were used on both channels in both configurations.