Determination of carboxylic acids in water by gas chromatography using several detectors after flow preconcentration

A novel analytical method is reported that combines continuous solid-phase extraction and gas chromatography for the determination of 22 carboxylic acids in water. The highly polar and hydrophilic analytes were preferentially sorbed on a mixture of LiChrolut EN-Supelclean ENVI-18 (1:1) sorbent column and eluted with methanol; this extraction process did not require derivatisation. The extract was analysed by gas chromatography coupled to a flame ionisation detector as well as a mass spectrometer with electron impact (EI) or positive chemical ionisation modes. The highest sensitivity was achieved when using MS-EI, with good linearity in calibration curves and low detection limits (2-40ngL(-1)) for 50mL of sample. The entire procedure from raw aqueous sample to a ready-to-inject methanol solution of the acids requires less than 15min. Another benefit of this method is the good accuracy (recoveries between 93 and 102%) and precision (relative standard deviation, 3.4-6.2%), which allows the determination of carboxylic acids in environmental water and in real chlorinated and ozonated drinking water.     

Analysis of nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by glass capillary gas chromatography using different detectors

Glass capillary gas chromatography has been investigated as a method for the analysis of nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro-PAH) using both splitless and on-column injection techniques. The nitro-PAH showed good chromatographic performance and thermal stability under the GC conditions used. Retention times and response factors of several nitro-PAH were compared to those of conventional PAH. Simultaneous flame ionization and thermionic nitrogen selective detection was used to facilitate identification of nitro-PAH in complex samples. The feasibility of the method is demonstrated on two samples of commercial carbon black. Besides 1-nitropyrene several isomeric dinitropyrenes have been identified.     

Gas chromatography with atomic emission detection for dimethylselenide and dimethyldiselenide determination in waters and plant materials using a purge-and-trap preconcentration system

Dimethylselenide (DMSe) and dimethyldiselenide (DMDSe) were determined in plant and water samples by capillary gas chromatography using microwave induced-plasma atomic emission spectrometry for detection. The analytes were leached from the solid samples into methanol by using an ultrasonic probe, and a portion of the extract was preconcentrated by means of a purge-and-trap system before being chromatographed. The analytes were directly purged from the water samples in the presence of 6% (v/v) methanol. Element-specific detection and quantification was carried out by monitoring the selenium (196 nm) emission line. Calibration curves were obtained by plotting peak area versus concentration and the correlation coefficients for linear calibration were 0.9999 for both analytes. Detection limits of 0.8 and 1.1 ng l(-1) were obtained for DMSe and DMDSe, respectively, for water samples. For plant materials, the detection limits calculated for 0.5 g samples were 0.3 and 0.4 ng g(-1) for DMSe and DMDSe, respectively. Concentration levels of DMSe ranging from 1.2 to 4.2 ng g(-1) were found in some of the plant materials analyzed. No DMDSe was found in any of the samples. The accuracy of the method was checked by analyzing different spiked water and plant samples.     

Determination of fluoride by an ion chromatography system using the preconcentration on nanometer-size zirconia

A simple rapid microcolumn preconcentration technique is described for the determination of fluoride ions in geological samples through the ion chromatography system. The technique is based on the adsorption of fluoride ions on H₂SO₄-activated nanometer-size zirconia (NSZ) packed in a microcolumn. Activation parameters (concentration and contact time) were studied, and an activation time of about 50 min and a concentration of 6 M were then selected. The analytical procedure was optimized in terms of the flow rate of the sample solution, eluent concentration, and the eluent flow rate for the adsorption capacities of H₂SO₄-activated NSZ. At a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min, the detection limits (3σ) of the technique for fluoride ions was 0.3 ng/mL, and the RSD was 0.04%. The dynamic adsorption capacity of NSZ was found to be 8.4 mg/g. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

The achievement of reproducible temperature prodgrammed retention indices in gas chromatography when using different columns and detectors

Summary It has been found that the ratio , where r is the heating rate, t₀ is the gas hold-up time of the column and is the phase ratio of the column used, is a most explicit and convenient parameter in linear temperatur-programmed gas chromatography for reproducing temperature-programmed retention indices, I_TP. For two columns of different sizes (length, inner diamter), working under different heating rates with the same or different carrier gases at different gas flow-rates, as long as the initial oven temperature, T₀, phase ratio, , and their r·t₀/ ratios are kept unchanged, the I_TP value of a solute can be reproduced within 1–2 i.u. on either OV-101 or PEG-20M columns. When a combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique is used applying vacuum at the column outlet reduces t₀. Nevertheless, r·t₀/ can still be kept unchanged by a proper choice of the oven heating rate, and thus a total ion chromatogram (TIC), quite similar to the corresponding gas chromatogram in shape, can be obtained.     

The automated determination of volatile organic contaminants in ambient air and/or soil gas by gas chromatography with selective detectors

Two systems have been developed which are suitable for the determination of sub parts per billion levels of organic contaminants in ambient air and soil gas. Gas samples are passed through an adsorbent where the contaminants are trapped. Following thermal desorption the contaminants are quantitated by capillary GC employing photoionizations electrolytic conductivity, and electron capture detection. The performance of the systems is described in detail.     

Determination of the chloroacetanilide herbicides in waters using single-drop microextraction and gas chromatography

In this article, a new method using single-drop microextraction (SDME) and gas chromatography micro-electron capture detection (GC-μECD) for the determination of chloroacetanilide herbicides (alachlor, acetochlor, metolachlor, pretilachlor and butachlor) residues was developed. The effects of SDME parameters such as extraction solvent, stirring rate, ionic strength, microdrop volume and extraction time were optimized. The optimum experimental conditions found were: 1.6 μl toluene microdrop, 5 ml water sample, 400 rpm stirring rate, 15 min extraction time and no salt addition. Analytical parameters such as linearity, repeatability and limit of detection were also evaluated. The proposed method was proved to be a simple and rapid analytical procedure for chloroacetanilide herbicides in water with limits of detection 0.0002–0.114 μg/l. The relative recoveries range from 80% to 102% for all the target analytes, with the relative standard deviations varying from 3.9% to 11.7%.     

Precision of an automated all-glass capillary gas chromatography system with an electron capture detector for the trace analysis of estrogens

Subnanogram detection of steroids has become increasingly important today. One applicable method for gas chromatographic determination of subnanogram quantities of estrogens as halogenated derivatives is electron capture detection. HFB-derivatives of 7 different estrogens were automatically injected onto a prolonged narrow bore wall-coated glass capillary column. Normal split injection could not be used for this trace analysis because of too much loss of sample. Only small amounts of sample were available from which double analysis had to be performed. Cross-contamination of the automatic sampling system as well as precision of retention times and peak areas were determined. The type of injection described showed better quantitative results compared to the splitless injection technique. All details of the system used together with the results are this discussed in this paper.     

A new way of using thermal conductivity detectors in capillary gas chromatography

Summary Large volume TCD cells, as commonly used in gas chromatographs, can be used as detectors in capillary gas chromatography without loss of separation efficiency and sensitivity, by expanding the column effluent. This can be achieved by inserting a throttle between the column and the detector cell and reducing the pressure in the cell. A device working at a cell pressure of 20 mbar was studied to determine its usefulness for practical analytical work. The construction of the detector is described. The results of measurements concerning the linearity, sensitivity and accuracy of the detector, when used with glass capillary columns are given.     

Determination of seven polyphenols in water by high performance liquid chromatography combined with preconcentration

A method for determination of seven polyphenols (chlorogenic acid, esculetin, caffeic acid, scopoletin, rutin, quercetin hydrate, kaempferol) by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) combined with preconcentration was developed. The preconcentration was accomplished by adsorption-desorption method with a styrene-divinylbenzene resin (XAD-4), and the analytes were desorbed by methanol. The parameters of adsorption and desorption, such as the amounts of resin, adsorption time, pH of the adsorption solution, and the volume of methanol for desorption were optimized. RP-HPLC with photodiode array detector (PAD) was employed for the qualitative and quantitative analysis. Methanol and acetic-water (1:99, v/v) solution were used as the mobile phase, and a gradient program was established for separation. Calibration curves of the seven analytes were obtained in the range of 0.8-3 mg L⁻¹, with correlation coefficients (R) higher than 0.9990. With standard samples, the recoveries for the preconcentration step under optimal conditions were 93-99%, and the relative standard deviations were 0.2-2.0% (n = 5). Polyphenols in simulated tobacco-polluted water were analyzed with the optimized conditions. Chlorogenic acid and rutin were found and determined, whose concentrations were 32.8 and 19.2 μg L⁻¹, respectively. The spiked recoveries of the polyphenols were 83-95% except quercetin hydrate (63%), the relative standard deviations were less than 3.5% (n = 5).     

Determination of methylmercury in natural waters at the sub-nanograms per litre level by capillary gas chromatography after adsorbent preconcentration

Methylmercury was preconcentrated from water on to a sulph-hydryl cotton fibre adsorbent, using the column technique or the batch-column two-stage technique. A small volume of 2 M HCl was used to elute methylmercury and to separate it from inorganic mercury; 0.4–0.6 ml of benzene was used to extract methylmercury from the eluate. Analysis was performed by capillary gas chromatography with electron-capture detection. The detection limit for methylmercury was <0.05 ng l^?1 in a 4-l water sample. Four surface waters were analysed to test the agreement of methylmercury concentration between the two preconcentration methods, and to test the interference of humic substances on the filtered and unfiltered surface water. The methylmercury concentrations found in different surface water samples ranged from 0.08 to 0.48 ng l^?1.     

Head space gas chromatography with glass capillaries using an automatic electropneumatic dosing system

Head space GC using a special electropneumatic sampling system works well in combination with glass capillaries. Because a homogenous gas mixture is already present most problems inherent with inlet splitters are thus avoided. In cases where the high vapor pressure of the sample can cause problems with the pressure controlled sampling system, the use of narrow bore glass capillaries provides the necessary inlet pressure. The use of this powerful and convenient analytical tool for water pollution analysis, flavour analysis and the analysis of volatiles in crude oil samples is shown by examples.     

Analysis of global components in Ganoderma using liquid chromatography system with multiple columns and detectors

In present study, a multiple columns and detectors liquid chromatography system for analysis of global components in traditional Chinese medicines was developed. The liquid chromatography system was consist of three columns, including size exclusion chromatography column, hydrophilic interaction chromatography column, and reversed phase chromato‐graphy column, and three detectors, such as diode array detector, evaporative light scattering detector, and mass spectrometry detector, based on column switching technique. The developed multiple columns and detectors liquid chromatography system was successfully applied to the analysis of global components, including macromolecular (polysaccharides), high (nucleosides and sugars)‐, and low (triterpenes)‐polarity small molecular compounds in Ganoderma, a well‐known Chinese medicinal mushroom. As a result, one macromolecular chromatographic peak was found in two Ganoderma species, 19 components were identified in Ganoderma lucidum (two sugars, three nucleosides, and 14 triterpenes), and four components (two sugars and two nucleosides) were identified in Ganoderma sinense. The developed multiple columns and detectors liquid chromatography system was helpful to understand comprehensive chemical characters in TCMs.     

Simultaneous determination of bromide and nitrate in contaminated waters by ion chromatography using amperometry and absorbance detectors

This study describes a new ion chromatography method using a low-capacity anion exchange column with amperometric and absorbance detection for rapid and simultaneous determination of Br⁻ and NO₃⁻ in contaminated waters where one of these ions is present in excess compared to other. The use of two detectors overcomes the problem of baseline separation for Br⁻ and NO₃⁻ for accurate quantification, which was commonly encountered when using a low-capacity anion exchange column and suppressed conductivity detection mode. The method achieved accurate quantification of these two ions without requirement of baseline separation. The accuracy of 2.8% for NO₃⁻ was determined using a quality control sample obtained from UN GEMS/Water PE Study No. 6. The detection limits for Br⁻ and NO₃⁻ were 20 and 6 μg l⁻¹ (25 μl sample), respectively. Linearity of these two ions was over three orders of magnitude with a correlation coefficient >0.998. The influence of potential interfering ions was also studied followed by the determination of Br⁻ and NO₃⁻ in seawater, unsaturated zone water, soil extract and groundwater.     

Fully automated determination of N-nitrosamines in environmental waters by headspace solid-phase microextraction followed by GC-MS-MS

A fully automated method for determining nine Environmental Protection Agency N-nitrosamines in several types of environmental waters at ng/L levels is presented. The method is based on a headspace solid-phase microextraction followed by GC-MS-MS using chemical ionization. Three different fibers (carboxen/PDMS, divinylbenzene/carboxen/PDMS, and PEG) were tested. Solid-phase microextraction conditions were best when a divinylbenzene/carboxen/PDMS fiber was exposed for 60?min in the headspace of 10?mL water samples at pH 7 containing 360?g/L of NaCl, at 45°C. All compounds were analyzed by GC-MS-MS within 18?min. The method was validated using effluent from an urban wastewater treatment plant and the LODs ranged from 1 to 5?ng/L. The method was then applied to determine the N-nitrosamines in samples of different complexities, such as tap water and several influent and effluent wastewater samples from urban and industrial wastewater treatment plants and a potable water treatment plant. Although the analysis of influent industrial wastewater revealed high concentrations of some compounds (N-nitrosomorpholine and N-nitrosodimethylamine at μg/L levels), in industrial effluents and other samples, the concentrations were substantially lower (ng/L levels). The new method is suitable for the simple and reliable determination of N-nitrosamines in highly complex water samples in a completely automated procedure.     

Comparison of preconcentration procedures for trace metals in natural waters

The relative merits of eight procedures for preconcentrations of trace metal ions from natural water samples and synthetic solutions are evaluated. Spikes (100 μg l^?1 ) of Mn, Co, Zn, Eu, Cs and Ba and the corresponding radioactive tracers were added to batches of drinking water, estuarine water, sea water, ground water, twice-distilled water and ahumic material solution. After equilibration for 2–5 months, the following techniques were applied: passage through columns of Dowex Al chelating resin and ofsilylated silica gel, filtration through laminate membrane filters and chelating diethylenetriamine cellulose filters, precipitation with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate and l-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol, extraction with ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate, and chelation by 8-quinolinol (oxine) followed by adsorption on activated carbon. The quantitative characteristics of these techniques and the influence of the water matrix effects are discussed, as well as the applicability for x-ray fluorescence analysis.     

Determination of trace level of perchlorate in Antarctic snow and ice by ion chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry using an automated sample on-line preconcentration method

A new ion chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry（IC-ESI-MS/MS） method,with automated sampling and on-line preconcentration,has been developed for the determination of perchlorate in Antarctic snow and ice at low part-per-trillion（ng/L） levels.To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that an analytical method is used for the determination of perchlorate in Antarctic snow and ice.The IC-ESI-MS/MS instrumentation consisted of an ICS2000 ion chromatography（IC） system coupled to an API3200 electrospray tandem mass spectrometer（ESI-MS/MS）.On-line preconcentration was realized through a six-port injector valve,a TAC-ULP1 concentrator column and an AS auto-sampler.Multiple reaction monitoring（MRM） mode was used to quantify the perchlorate anion.The transition of ³⁵Cl¹⁶O₄^-（m/z 98.9） into ³⁵Cl¹⁶O₃^-（m/z 82.9） was monitored for quantifying the main analyte,and the transition of ³⁷Cl¹⁶O₄^-（m/z 100.9） into ³⁷Cl¹⁶O₃^-（m/z 84.9） was monitored for examining a proper isotopic abundance ratio of ³⁵Cl to ³⁷Cl,which was used as a confirmation tool.The limit of detection（LOD） and limit of quantitation（LOQ） for the method was 0.2 ng/ L and 0.5 ng/L,respectively.And this new method exhibited acceptable accuracy and precision for samples at ng/L levels.All the tested snow and ice samples were found to contain measurable amount of perchlorate,ranging from 10 ng/L to 340 ng/L.     

Development of an automated measurement system using a diffusion scrubber and high-performance liquid chromatography for the monitoring of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in automotive exhaust gas.

An automated measurement system for monitoring formaldehyde (HCHO) and acetaldehyde (CH3CHO) in automotive exhaust gas by using a diffusion scrubber in combination with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was developed. HCHO and CH3CHO are effectively collected by the diffusion scrubber, which consists of a hydrophobic porous PTFE tube disposed concentrically within a Pyrex-glass tube and a scrubbing solution. 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine is used as the scrubbing solution for trapping HCHO and CH3CHO, which are derivatized to formaldehyde 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone (DNPH-HCHO) and acetaldehyde 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone (DNPH-CH3CHO), respectively, with phosphoric acid as an acid catalyst. After the collection of the gas sample, the sample solution in the diffusion scrubber is injected into the HPLC system and DNPH-HCHO and DNPH-CH3CHO are separated and determined. All measurement operations are sequenced by a programmable controller and an automated continuous measurement can be performed at 10 min intervals. The collection efficiencies of HCHO and CH3CHO were higher than 97% at a gas flow rate of 0.21 min-1. The detection limit (3 sigma of the blank value) was 0.001 ppm v/v for HCHO and CH3CHO for a 1.61 gas sample volume. No interference of co-existing nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in the collection of HCHO and CH3CHO was observed. The average concentration of HCHO in the exhaust gas from methanol-fueled vehicles was 77.3 ppm v/v (n = 5) in the cold-phase mode when engines were first started. In the hot-phase mode, the average concentration of HCHO was 3.3 ppm v/v (n = 15). The concentrations of HCHO measured by this automated measurement system were in good agreement with those obtained using the impinger-HPLC method.     

Determination of methylmercury in natural waters by headspace gas chromatography with microwave-induced plasma detection after preconcentration on a resin containing dithiocarbamate groups

A method for the determination of methylmercury at ng l^?1 levels in natural waters is described. Methylmercury present in a sample is first preconcentrated on a column of a resin containing dithiocarbamate groups and eluted quantitatively with acidic thiourea solution. Methylmercury in the effluent is then converted to the iodide by addition of sulphuric acid and iodoacetic acid and determined by headspace gas chromatography with microwave-induced plasma detection. The adsorption properties of the resin are discussed.