Analysis compound-specific

Complex environmental samples originate from diverse matrices (the predominant material of which the sample to be analyzed is composed). These matrices, usually either water or soil/sediment, can contain as many as 50 to 100 organic components at widely varying concentrations. The EPA approach to the analysis of these samples involves the analysis of specific (or target) compounds and the use of authentic standards for quality control. The current number of standards in the EPA repository is about 1500, and their analysis is covered by various approved methods. 

Another interesting, but rather complex system, which couples flow injection analysis, EC and GC has been recently reported (47). This system allows the determination of the total amount of potentially carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in bitumen and bitumen fumes. This system could also be used for the analysis of specific PACs in other residual products. 

This technique detects substances qualitatively and quantitatively. The chromatogram retention time is compound-specific, and peak-height indicates the concentration of pollutant in the air. Detection systems include flame ionization, thermal conductivity and electron capture. Traditionally gas chromatography is a laboratory analysis but portable versions are now available for field work. Table 9.4 lists conditions for one such portable device. 

An anaerobic bacterial enrichment cnltnre was used to examine the dechlorination of 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorobiphenyl that prodnced 2,3,5-trichlorobiphenyl exclusively. Although there was no alteration in the valnes of 5 C, compound-specific analysis of Arochlor 1268 showed that there was a trend for decreasing C abundance with increasing content of chlorine. This is consistent with dechlorination of the congeners with more chlorine substituents. 

Jarman WM, A Hilkert, CE Bacon, JW Collister, K Ballschmiter, RW Risebrough (1998) Compound-specific carbon isotopic analysis of Arochlors, Clophens, Kanechlors, and Phenoclors. Environ Sci Technol 32 833-836. 

Comprehensive chemical analyses of samples of water, sediment, and biota were carried out both before and after the spill. This cannot of course be carried out in most cases, and illustrates a serious limitation in field studies, in which lack of background data or difficulty in finding an uncontaminated control locality is frequently encountered. Sum parameters were sparingly employed in Baffin Island Oil Spill (BIOS), and emphasis was placed on the analysis of specific compounds attention was directed not only to PAHs, but also to azaarenes, dibenzothiophenes, and hopanes. Thereby, a clear distinction could be made between the input from the oil deliberately discharged, and that arising from natural biological reactions or mediated by atmospheric transport. 

Particularly for direct microanalytical techniques using <10 mg of sample for analysis, it is highly desirable to obtain quantitative information on element- and compound-specific homogeneity in the certificates for validation and quality control of measurements. As the mean concentration in a CRM is clearly material-related, the standard deviation of this mean value should represent the element s distribution in this matrix rather than differences in the analytical procedures used. 

Where is the initial analyte concentration in the liquid phase, C( the concentration of analyte in the gas phase, K the gas-liquid partition coefficient for the analyte at the analysis temperature, V, the volume of liquid phase, and V, the volume of gas phase (318-321,324,325). From equation (8.3) it can be seen that the concentration of the analyte in the headspace above a liquid in equilibrium with a vapor phase will depend on the volume ratio of the geis and liquid phases and the compound-specific partition coefficient which, in turn, is matrix dependent. The sensitivity 1 of the headspace sampling method can be increased in some instances adjusting the pH, salting out or raising the... 

The logical approach to problem solving for rubber analysis at Polysar Ltd was described by Chu [73] (cf. Schemes 2.4 and 2.5). Systematic analysis involves sampling, elimination of interference and measurement. Methods employed include chromatography (GC, HS-GC, HPLC, SEC, IC), spectroscopy (AAS, UV/VIS, IR, NMR), MS, microscopy and thermal analysis. The specific role of each of these techniques for the analysis of rubber compounds with or without... 

Mass spectrometry can be specific in certain cases, and would even allow on-line QA in the isotope dilution mode. MS of molecular ions is seldom used in speciation analysis. API-MS allows compound-specific information to be obtained. APCI-MS offers the unique possibility of having an element- and compound-specific detector. A drawback is the limited sensitivity of APCI-MS in the element-specific detection mode. This can be overcome by use of on-line sample enrichment, e.g. SPE-HPLC-MS. The capabilities of ESI-MS for metal speciation have been critically assessed [546], Use of ESI-MS in metal speciation is growing. Houk [547] has emphasised that neither ICP-MS (elemental information) nor ESI-MS (molecular information) alone are adequate for identification of unknown elemental species at trace levels in complex mixtures. Consequently, a plea was made for simultaneous use of these two types of ion source on the same liquid chromatographic effluent. 

Stott, A. W., R. Berstan, R. P. Evershed, C. Bronk-Ramsey, M. Humm, and R. E. M. Hedges (2003), Direct dating of archaeological pottery by compound specific C-14 analysis of preserved lipids, Anal. Chem. 75(19), 5037-5045. 

Compound-specific Stable Isotopes in Organic Residue Analysis in Archaeology... 

The aims of this contribution are to (i) consider the theoretical principles underlying the use of compound-specific stable isotope analysis in archaeology (ii) consider the practical aspects of undertaking compound-specific stable isotope analyses and (iii) demonstrate the value of linking the structures of amino acids, fatty acids and/or sterols, to their compound-specific stable isotope values to achieve new insights into variations in metabolism and environment in order to enhance archaeological interpretations. 

Figure 14.5 Schematic diagram of instrumental variants of stable isotope analysis providing either bulk or compound specific stable isotope values...

Figure 14.6 Generalised analytical protocol for the compound specific stable isotope analysis of free and building block components of complex archaeological materials...

Derivatisations for Compound-specific Stable Isotope Analysis... 

GC-C-IRMS instrumentation enables the compound-specific isotope analysis of individual organic compounds, for example, n-alkanes, fatty acids, sterols and amino acids, extracted and purified from bulk organic materials. The principle caveat of compound-specific work is the requirement for chemical modification, or derivatisation, of compounds containing polar functional groups primarily to enhance their volatility prior to introduction to the GC-C-IRMS instrument. Figure 14.7 summarises the most commonly employed procedures for derivatisation of polar, nonvolatile compounds for compound-specific stable isotope analysis using GC-C-IRMS. 

In addition to the potential problem of isobaric interference from CO+ (m/z 28) ions there are a number of additional factors that should be considered when attempting compound specific 815N analysis. First, the actual abundance of N in an organic compound is typically <10% (cf. C >60%), in a gas sample 1 molecule of N2 contains two N atoms (only 1 C in C02), the natural abundance of 15N is 0.732% (cf. 1.08% 13C) and N2 has an... 

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