Abstract
Pollution studies of air and water samples have been greatly enhanced by the use of chromatographic techniques. The selection of the proper detectors coupled with the various column types and substrates have broadened the capabilities of environmental analyses. Proper care in sampling protocols and sample treatment has steadily improved the sensitivity of these measurements. The recommended methods for air, wastewater, drinking water and solid waste samples all utilize some type of chromatographic analysis for the determination of organic contaminants. Three complimentary techniques: i.e., headspace sampling (dynamic and static methods), microextractions (liquid-liquid and/or liquid-solid) and solid-phase extractions have expanded the capabilities of such studies to permit the analytical chemist to perform fast in-the-field monitoring, concentrate low levels of analytes and determine solubilities of toxic substances. A discussion of other environmental areas which should be studied, along with the changes and/or modifications in analytical technology which should be investigated, will be presented.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Burlingame, A. L., Baillie, T. A., and Derrick, P. J.: 1986, ‘Mass Spectrometry’ Anal. Chem., 58, 165R-211R.
Grob, R. L. and Umbreit, G. R.: 1980, ‘Experimental Applications of Gas Chromatographic Headspace Analysis of Priority Pollutants’, J. Environ. Sci. and Health, A15, 429–466.
Kiang, P. H. and Grob, R. L.: 1986a, ‘Development of a Screening Method for the Determination of 49 Priority Pollutants in Soil’, J. Environ. Sci. and Health, A21, 15–53.
Kiang, P. H. and Grob, R. L.: 1986b, ‘A Headspace Technique for the Determination of Volatile Compounds in Soil’, J. Environ. Sci and Health, A21 71–100.
Lopez-Avila, V., Northcutt, R., Onstot, J., and Wickman, M.: 1983, ‘Determination of 51 Priority Organic Compounds after Extraction from Standard Reference Materials’, Anal. Chem., 55, 881–889.
McAuliffe, C.: 1971, ‘GC Determination of Solutes by Multiple Phase Equilibration’, Chem. Tech., 1, 46–51.
McNally, M. E. and Grob, R. L.: 1983, ‘Determination of the Solubility Limits of Organic Priority Pollutants by Gas Chromatographic Headspace Analysis’, J. Chromatogr., 260, 23–32.
McNally, M. E. an Grob, R. L.: 1984, ‘Headspace Determination of Solubility Limits of the Base Neutral and Volatile Components from the Environmental Protection Agency's List of Priority Pollutants’, J. Chromatogr., 284, 105–116.
Majors, R. E.: 1980, ‘Multi Dimensional High Performance Liquid Chromatography’, J. Chromatogr. Sci., 18, 571–579.
Majors, R. E.: 1986, ‘Sample Preparation for HPLC and GC Using Solid Phase Extraction’, LC-GC, 4, 972–984.
Mieure, J. P. and Dietrich, M. W.: 1973, ‘Determination of Trace Organics in Air and Water’, J. Chromatogr. Sci., 11, 559–570.
O'Brien, M. J.: 1985, ‘Detectors’, in Modern Practice of Gas Chromatography Grob, R. L. (Ed.), John Wiley and Sons, New York, Chapter 6, pp. 211–291.
Rhoades, J. W. and Nulton, C P.: 1980, ‘Priority Pollutant Analyses of Industrial Wastewaters Using a Microextraction Approach’, J. Environ. Sci. and Health, A15, 467–484.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Plenary speaker.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Grob, R.L. Chromatographic techniques for pollution analyses. Environ Monit Assess 19, 1–11 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00401292
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00401292