| Abstract: | The measurement of low levels of organic compounds in environmental samples presents the researcher with a number of possible pathways to effectively obtain and analyze samples. Numerous sampling methods, sample preparation techniques, and extraction procedures are available. A number of different approaches to sampling strategy, isolation, concentration, cleanup and fractionation will be discussed. Objectives for collecting environmental samples differ from those for many other types of samples because reliable measurements at very low levels are frequently required. Often, specific analytes need to be measured at the μg/kg and even ng/kg levels in complex matrices. Advances in analytical methodology continue to lower the levels at which reliable measurements can be made. At these levels, many factors that are of little or no concern in other analytical measurements are of critical importance in influencing the outcome and reliability of environmental analyses. Analytical measurements are used for determining the composition and the quantities of analytes in the defined system at various concentration levels. Environmental analytical measurements provide data about the transportation and transformation of an environmental contraminant and for determination of its concentration in a sample. |
