Preliminary Studies on the Recovery of SVOC from Soil using Pressurized Fluid Extraction with Methanol/Water PAH/PCB

The analysis of contaminated soil and sludge samples for semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC) has traditionally been performed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) (EPA SW-846, Method 8270). This method relies on the extraction of contaminants from the samples utilizing a variety of organic and chlorinated solvents. Pressurized fluid extraction (EPA SW-846, Method 3545) has been shown…

Stir Bar Sorptive Extraction (SBSE) applied to Environmental Aqueous Samples

For the analysis of organic compounds in aqueous environmen tal matrices several sample preparation methods are used. Volatile organic compounds can be analysed using (static) headspace, purge and trap or liquid-liquid extraction. Semivolatiles are analysed after liquid-liquid extraction or solid phase extraction (SPE). During the past years, miniaturisation has become a dominant trend in analytical…

Comparison of the sensitivity of solid phase microextraction (SPME) and stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH’s) in water and soil samples

Two extraction techniques that avoid solvent consumption and cut down the sample preparation to a minimum – Solid Phase MicroExtraction (SPME) and Stir Bar Sorptive Extraction (SBSE) – were compared on the basis of their reproducibility and sensitivity for 16 US EPA PAH compounds. For the comparison of both techniques, water samples spiked with 10…

Semi-automated Stir-Bar Sorptive Extraction (SBSE) in combination with HPLC fluorescence detection of PAH’s in water

Stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) was introduced 1999 by Baltussen et al. [1]. This new sorptive extraction technique bases on the same principles than solid phase microextraction (SPME), but instead of a polymer-coated fibre, stir bars 10 mm long coated with 24 μl PDMS (Twister, GERSTEL) are used for enrichment of organic contaminants from aqueous…

Membrane assisted solvent extraction of Triazines and other semivolatile contaminants directly coupled to large volume injection GC/MS

We can manage without crude oil, but not without water. Hence, it is obvious that we should test water for possible contamination; not just drinking water but especially waste and surface water, in order to discover any contamination. The analysis can be complicated if the water contains a large proportion of suspended substances and foreign…

VOC’s from Adhesives in Indoor Air

Carpets for office use are nowadays in most cases applied with water-based adhesives. During the last decade the complaints about odors and emission of volatile organic compounds from these fitted carpets have increased dramatically, causing a major problem for indoor air quality. In a series of investigations it has been established that in many cases…

Analysis of Volatile Metalloid Species in Gas Samples using a Commercial Cryotrapping System (TDS-G-CIS GC) Coupled to ICP-MS with PH 3 and SF 6 as Example Compounds

A variety of volatile organometalloid species finds application in industrial processes. Among these are e.g. the fumigation of tobacco leaves or flour with phosphine (PH3) for elimination of insects, or the use of sulfurhexafl uoride (SF6) as arc extinguishing media in electrical circuits. The occurrence of volatile metal(loid) species was also proved in emissions of…

Automated Online Desorption and Analysis of DNPH Derivatives of Formaldehyde, Acetaldehyde, and Related Carbonyl Compounds using a New Robotic Autosampler

The analysis of airborne aldehydes and ketones first involves collection of the analytes by passing air through a cartridge containing 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH). As the air passes through the cartridge, the analytes react with the DNPH to form hydrazones which are immobilized on the cartridge. The cartridges are then eluted with solvent and the DNPH derivatives…

Direct Thermal Extraction Analysis of Solid and Liquid Samples using the GERSTEL MPS Robotic Sampler, Thermal Desorption Unit (TDU 2) and Cooled Inlet System (CIS)

Direct thermal extraction (DTE) is a thermal desorption technique in which a small amount of sample, typically 10-50 mg, is placed in an empty fritted thermal desorption tube or into a small vial (μ-vial) within an empty thermal desorption tube. The sample is then heated in a thermal desorption unit under a flow of inert…

Stir Bar Sorptive Extraction (TwisterTM) RTL-CGC-MS. A Versatile Method to Monitor more than 400 Pesticides in Different Matrices (Water, Beverages, Fruits, Vegetables, Baby Food)

In this study, different food and beverage samples were analysed without chromatographic separation by direct transfer of their analytes into a mass spectrometer or by disregarding chromatographic separation. Three different sample introduction techniques – Headspace, Solid Phase MicroExtraction (SPME) [1], and HeadSpace Sorptive Extraction (HSSE) – were used. Mass spectral fingerprints were compared using pattern…

Multi-Residue Method for Determination of 85 Pesticides in Vegetables, Fruits and Green Tea by Stir Bar Sorptive Extraction and Thermal Desorption GC-MS

A multi-residue method to determine five groups of 85 pesticides – chlorinated, carbamate, phosphorous, pyrethroid and others – in vegetables, fruits and green tea has been developed using stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) coupled to thermal desorption and retention time locked (RTL) GC-MS. Pre-extraction with methanol and dilution with water prior to SBSE (60 min)…

Multi-Residue Method for the Determination of Five Groups of Pesticides in Non-Fatty Food Samples by Dual Stir Bar Sorptive Extraction (Dual SBSE) and Thermal Desorption GC-MS*

A multi-residue method for determination of five groups of 85 pesticides – organochlorine, carbamate, organophosphorous, pyrethroid and others – in non-fatty food, e.g. vegetables, fruits and green tea is described. The method is based on stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) coupled to thermal desorption (TD) and retention time locked (RTL) GC-MS in the scan mode.…

Elimination of Non-Volatile Sample Matrix Components After GC Injection using a Thermal Desorber and Microvial Inserts

GC analysis of complex sample types containing non-volatile materials normally requires extensive sample preparation and cleanup prior to injection to eliminate the interference from non-volatile components. Accumulation of nonvolatile matrix components in the inlet and at the head of the GC column can lead to generation of active sites, analyte degradation, poor quantitation due to…