Use of mass spectrometric methods for field screening of VOC`s

Conference · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:10109527

Evans, J C

While mass spectrometric (MS) methods of chemical analysis, particularly gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS), have been the mainstay of environmental organic analytical techniques in the laboratory through the use of EPA and other standard methods, field implementation is relatively rare. Instrumentation and methods now exist for utilizing MS and GC/MS techniques in the field for analysis of VOC`s in gas phase, aqueous, and soil media. Examples of field investigations utilizing HP 5971A and Viking SpectraTrak systems for analysis of VOC`s in all three media will be presented. Mass spectral methods were found to offer significant advantages in terms of speed of analysis and reliability of compound identification over field gas chromatography (GC) methods while preserving adequate levels of detection sensitivity. The soil method in particular provides a method for rapid in-field analysis of methanol preserved samples thus minimizing the problem of volatiles loss which typically occurs with routine use of the EPA methods and remote analysis. The high cost of MS instrumentation remains a major obstacle to more widespread use.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 10109527
• Report Number(s): PNL-SA--25362; CONF-9411180--1-Vugraphs; ON: DE95004903
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400102
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540220
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMICAL AND SPECTRAL PROCEDURES
CHEMICALS MONITORING AND TRANSPORT
CONTAMINATION
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FIELD TESTS
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
MASS SPECTROSCOPY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RELIABILITY
SENSITIVITY
SOILS
VOLATILE MATTER