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Duff D, Lennard C, Li Y, Doyle C, Edge KJ, Holland I, Lothridge K, Johnstone P, Beylerian P, Spikmans V. Portable gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the in-field screening of organic pollutants in soil and water at pollution incidents. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:93088-93102. [PMID: 37501027 PMCID: PMC10447289 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-28648-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Environmental pollution incidents generate an emergency response from regulatory agencies to ensure that the impact on the environment is minimised. Knowing what pollutants are present provides important intelligence to assist in determining how to respond to the incident. However, responders are limited in their in-field capabilities to identify the pollutants present. This research has developed an in-field, qualitative analytical approach to detect and identify organic pollutants that are commonly detected by regulatory environmental laboratories. A rapid, in-field extraction method was used for water and soil matrices. A coiled microextraction (CME) device was utilised for the introduction of the extracted samples into a portable gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for analysis. The total combined extraction and analysis time was approximately 6.5 min per sample. Results demonstrated that the in-field extraction and analysis methods can screen for fifty-nine target organic contaminants, including polyaromatic hydrocarbons, monoaromatic hydrocarbons, phenols, phthalates, organophosphorus pesticides, and organochlorine pesticides. The method was also capable of tentatively identifying unknown compounds using library searches, significantly expanding the scope of the methods for the provision of intelligence at pollution incidents of an unknown nature, although a laboratory-based method was able to provide more information due to the higher sensitivity achievable. The methods were evaluated using authentic casework samples and were found to be fit-for-purpose for providing rapid in-field intelligence at pollution incidents. The fact that the in-field methods target the same compounds as the laboratory-based methods provides the added benefit that the in-field results can assist in sample triaging upon submission to the laboratory for quantitation and confirmatory analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Duff
- School of Science, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Chris Lennard
- School of Science, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia
| | - Yarong Li
- Department of Planning and Environment, Environment Protection Science Branch, Building 1, 480 Weeroona Road, Lidcombe, NSW, 2141, Australia
| | - Christopher Doyle
- Department of Planning and Environment, Environment Protection Science Branch, Building 1, 480 Weeroona Road, Lidcombe, NSW, 2141, Australia
| | - Katelyn J Edge
- New South Wales Environment Protection Authority, Incident Management and Environmental Health Branch, Locked Bag 5022, Parramatta, NSW, 2124, Australia
| | - Ian Holland
- New South Wales Environment Protection Authority, Incident Management and Environmental Health Branch, Locked Bag 5022, Parramatta, NSW, 2124, Australia
| | - Kevin Lothridge
- Global Forensic and Justice Center @ Florida International University, 8285 Bryan Dairy Road. Suite 125, Largo, FL, 33777, USA
| | - Paul Johnstone
- Operations Capability Directorate, Fire & Rescue NSW, 1 Amarina avenue, Greenacre, NSW, 2190, Australia
| | - Paul Beylerian
- Operations Capability Directorate, Fire & Rescue NSW, 1 Amarina avenue, Greenacre, NSW, 2190, Australia
| | - Val Spikmans
- School of Science, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW, 2751, Australia.
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2
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The Application of In Situ Methods to Monitor VOC Concentrations in Urban Areas—A Bibliometric Analysis and Measuring Solution Review. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14148815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Urbanisation development affects urban vegetation both directly and indirectly. Since this process usually involves a dramatic change in land use, it is seen as likely to cause ecological pressure on local ecosystems. All forms of human activity, including urbanisation of areas close to residential buildings, significantly impact air quality. This study aims to identify and characterise different measurement solutions of VOCs, allowing the quantification of total and selective compounds in a direct at source (in situ) manner. Portable devices for direct testing can generally be divided into detectors, chromatographs, and electronic noses. They differ in parameters such as operating principle, sensitivity, measurement range, response time, and selectivity. Direct research allows us to obtain measurement results in a short time, which is essential from the point of view of immediate reaction in the case of high concentrations of tested compounds and the possibility of ensuring the well-being of people. The paper also attempts to compare solutions and devices available on the market and assess their application.
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3
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Pallis GC, Psarras GP, Vamvakari J, Kuula MJ, Kiljunen H, Hakulinen H, Vanninen P. Fast, Miniaturized, Real-Time Unit for Sampling, Modulation, and Separation in Detection of Hazardous Chemicals. Anal Chem 2020; 92:14589-14593. [PMID: 33080133 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c02898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A sampling, modulation, and separation (SMS) unit was tested for detection of hazardous chemicals. The SMS unit, designed and developed for on-site sampling and analysis, consists of a dynamic inlet system coupled with a fast, miniaturized gas chromatograph (GC). Feasibility of the SMS unit was evaluated together with a hazardous chemical vapor generator. The performance of the SMS unit was tested with automated thermal desorption after SMS to collect samples for GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) measurements. Detection of sarin nerve agent was verified. Additionally, the vapor generator was connected to the SMS unit, which was hyphenated with a photoionization detector (PID), thus creating a fast GC-PID system. This system gave a positive response for degradation products of sulfur mustard, thereby indicating suitability of the SMS-PID unit for field drone applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- George C Pallis
- Advanced Technology Innovation Centre, T4i Engineering Ltd., 5 Oakwood Drive, LE11 3QF Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - George P Psarras
- Advanced Technology Innovation Centre, T4i Engineering Ltd., 5 Oakwood Drive, LE11 3QF Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Julia Vamvakari
- Advanced Technology Innovation Centre, T4i Engineering Ltd., 5 Oakwood Drive, LE11 3QF Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Matti J Kuula
- VERIFIN, Finnish Institute for Verification of the Chemical Weapons Convention, Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 55, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Harri Kiljunen
- VERIFIN, Finnish Institute for Verification of the Chemical Weapons Convention, Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 55, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hanna Hakulinen
- VERIFIN, Finnish Institute for Verification of the Chemical Weapons Convention, Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 55, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Paula Vanninen
- VERIFIN, Finnish Institute for Verification of the Chemical Weapons Convention, Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 55, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
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4
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Torres MN, Valdes NB, Almirall JR. Comparison of portable and benchtop GC–MS coupled to capillary microextraction of volatiles (CMV) for the extraction and analysis of ignitable liquid residues. Forensic Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2020.100240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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5
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A MEMS-Enabled Deployable Trace Chemical Sensor Based on Fast Gas-Chromatography and Quartz Enhanced Photoacousic Spectoscopy. SENSORS 2019; 20:s20010120. [PMID: 31878138 PMCID: PMC6983083 DOI: 10.3390/s20010120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
This paper reports on a portable selective chemical sensor for hazardous vapors at trace levels, which combines a two-stage purge and trap vapor pre-concentration system, a Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System (MEMS) based fast gas-chromatographic (FAST-GC) separation column and a miniaturized quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (QEPAS) detector. The integrated sensing system provides two-dimensional selectivity combining GC retention time and QEPAS spectral information, and was specifically designed to be rugged and suitable to be deployed on unmanned robotic ground vehicles. This is the first demonstration of a miniaturized QEPAS device used as spectroscopic detector downstream of a FAST-GC separation column, enabling real-world analyses in dirty environments with response time of a few minutes. The main modules of the GC/QEPAS sensor device will be described in detail together with the system integration, and successful test results will be reported and discussed.
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6
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A carbon nanotube sponge as an adsorbent for vapor preconcentration of aromatic volatile organic compounds. J Chromatogr A 2019; 1605:460363. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2019.460363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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7
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Skog KM, Xiong F, Kawashima H, Doyle E, Soto R, Gentner DR. Compact, Automated, Inexpensive, and Field-Deployable Vacuum-Outlet Gas Chromatograph for Trace-Concentration Gas-Phase Organic Compounds. Anal Chem 2019; 91:1318-1327. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b03095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Kate M. Skog
- Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Fulizi Xiong
- Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Hitoshi Kawashima
- Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Evan Doyle
- Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Ricardo Soto
- Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Drew R. Gentner
- Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
- SEARCH (Solutions for Energy, Air, Climate and Health) Center, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
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Lam R, Lennard C, Kingsland G, Johnstone P, Symons A, Wythes L, Fewtrell J, O’Brien D, Spikmans V. Person-portable equipment in environmental forensic investigations: application to fire scenes. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2018.1424242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rylee Lam
- School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
| | - Chris Lennard
- School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
| | - Graham Kingsland
- Fire and Investigation Research Unit, Fire & Rescue New South Wales, Greenacre, Australia
| | - Paul Johnstone
- Operational Capability Directorate, Fire & Rescue New South Wales, Greenacre, Australia
| | - Andrew Symons
- Environment Protection Science Branch, Office of Environment and Heritage, Lidcombe, Australia
| | - Laura Wythes
- Hazardous Incidents and Environmental Health Branch, New South Wales Environment Protection Authority, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jeremy Fewtrell
- Operational Capability Directorate, Fire & Rescue New South Wales, Greenacre, Australia
| | - David O’Brien
- Fire and Investigation Research Unit, Fire & Rescue New South Wales, Greenacre, Australia
| | - Val Spikmans
- School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
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9
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Nagashima H, Kondo T, Nagoya T, Ikeda T, Kurimata N, Unoke S, Seto Y. Identification of chemical warfare agents from vapor samples using a field-portable capillary gas chromatography/membrane-interfaced electron ionization quadrupole mass spectrometry instrument with Tri-Bed concentrator. J Chromatogr A 2015; 1406:279-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2015.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Revised: 06/02/2015] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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10
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Visotin A, Lennard C. Preliminary evaluation of a next-generation portable gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (GC-MS) for the on-site analysis of ignitable liquid residues. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2015.1045554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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11
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Jacobs MR, Hilder EF, Shellie RA. Applications of resistive heating in gas chromatography: A review. Anal Chim Acta 2013; 803:2-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2013.04.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2012] [Revised: 04/25/2013] [Accepted: 04/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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12
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Leppert J, Horner G, Rietz F, Ringer J, Schulze Lammers P, Boeker P. Near real time detection of hazardous airborne substances. Talanta 2012; 101:440-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2012.09.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2012] [Revised: 09/18/2012] [Accepted: 09/25/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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13
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LI XX, LI XX, MA Q, YU JC, ZHENG Y, WU WM, WANG J. Development and Application of Portable Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer. CHINESE JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 2012. [DOI: 10.3724/sp.j.1096.2011.01476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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14
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Smith PA. Person-portable gas chromatography: rapid temperature program operation through resistive heating of columns with inherently low thermal mass properties. J Chromatogr A 2012; 1261:37-45. [PMID: 22770386 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2012.06.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2012] [Revised: 06/14/2012] [Accepted: 06/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
As open tubular gas chromatography was becoming widely adopted, the potential to rapidly heat and cool the low thermal mass of an open tubular fused silica column was recognized. Numerous resistive column heating approaches were subsequently described and demonstrated, often with a common objective to focus heating efforts on the column alone, rather than on a large convection oven. Low thermal mass column bundles have been commercially available for about ten years, where insulated wires in close proximity to a coiled open tubular capillary column provide resistive heating. Before this, person-portable gas chromatographs either operated isothermally at relatively low temperatures or at ambient temperature to lessen power demands, but several person-portable gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) instruments capable of temperature program operation have become available in the past ten years based on this heating method. When low thermal mass heated zones are used, and with a direct GC-MS interface, analysis times of less than 5 min are possible for target compounds having a wide range of volatilities. Previous capabilities in transportable and person-portable gas chromatography instrumentation are reviewed to demonstrate the scale of advancement made possible by the adoption of open tubular columns and low power heating techniques now becoming routinely available. Microcomachined columns which are usually etched in a silicon wafer represent a radical break from the traditional fused silica open tubular column design, and increasing efforts to use this column construction approach are also examined. The developments discussed have introduced the potential to rapidly analyze compounds with a wide volatility range in the field to protect deployed military forces, the health of workers, and the health of the general public.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip A Smith
- U.S. Department of Labor - OSHA, Health Response Team, Salt Lake Technical Center, 8660 S. Sandy Parkway, Sandy, UT 84070 USA.
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15
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Popiel S, Sankowska M. Determination of chemical warfare agents and related compounds in environmental samples by solid-phase microextraction with gas chromatography. J Chromatogr A 2011; 1218:8457-79. [PMID: 22015307 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2011.09.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2011] [Revised: 09/10/2011] [Accepted: 09/21/2011] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Solid phase microextraction (SPME) is an increasingly common method of sample isolation and enhancement. SPME is a convenient and simple sample preparation technique for chromatographic analysis and a useful alternative to liquid-liquid extraction and solid phase extraction. SPME is speed and simply method, which has been widely used in environmental analysis because it is a rather safe method when dealing with highly toxic chemicals. A combination of SPME and gas chromatography (GC) permits both the qualitative and quantitative analysis of toxic industrial compounds, pesticides and chemical warfare agents (CWAs), including their degradation products, in air, water and soil samples. This work presents a combination of SPME and GC methods with various types of detectors in the analysis of CWAs and their degradation products in air, water, soil and other matrices. The combination of SPME and GC methods allows for low detection limits depending on the analyte, matrix and detection system. Commercially available fibers have been mainly used to extract CWAs in headspace analysis. However, attempts have been made to introduce new fiber coatings that are characterized by higher selectivities towards different analytes of interest. Environmental decomposition of CWAs leads to the formation of more hydrophilic products. These compounds may be isolated from samples using SPME and analyzed using GC however, they must often be derivatized first to produce good chromatography. In these cases, one must ensure that the SPME method also meets the same needs. Otherwise, it is helpful to use derivatization methods. SPME may also be used with fieldportable mass spectrometry (MS) and GC-MS instruments for chemical defense applications, including field sampling and analysis. SPME fibers can be taken into contaminated areas to directly sample air, headspaces above solutions, soils and water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanisław Popiel
- Military University of Technology, Institute of Chemistry, 2 Kaliski Street, 00-908 Warsaw, Poland.
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16
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Lee MG, Oh JS, Jung KW. Development and Characteristic Study of a Portable Gas Chromatography. JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY-DAEHAN HWAHAK HOE JEE 2011. [DOI: 10.5012/jkcs.2011.55.2.157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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17
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Smith PA, Lepage CRJ, Savage PB, Bowerbank CR, Lee ED, Lukacs MJ. Use of a hand-portable gas chromatograph–toroidal ion trap mass spectrometer for self-chemical ionization identification of degradation products related to O-ethyl S-(2-diisopropylaminoethyl) methyl phosphonothiolate (VX). Anal Chim Acta 2011; 690:215-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2011.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2010] [Revised: 02/08/2011] [Accepted: 02/10/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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18
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Jansen RMC, Wildt J, Kappers IF, Bouwmeester HJ, Hofstee JW, van Henten EJ. Detection of diseased plants by analysis of volatile organic compound emission. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY 2011; 49:157-74. [PMID: 21663436 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-phyto-072910-095227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
This review focuses on the detection of diseased plants by analysis of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. It includes an overview of studies that report on the impact of infectious and noninfectious diseases on these emissions and discusses the specificity of disease-induced emissions. The review also provides an overview of processes that affect the gas balance of plant volatiles, including their loss processes. These processes are considered as important because they contribute to the time-dynamic concentration profiles of plant-emitted volatiles. In addition, we describe the most popular techniques currently in use to measure volatiles emitted from plants, with emphasis on agricultural application. Dynamic sampling coupled with gas chromatography and followed by an appropriate detector is considered as the most appropriate method for application in agriculture. It is recommended to evaluate the state-of-the-art in the fields concerned with this method and to explore the development of a new instrument based on the specific needs for application in agricultural practice. However, to apply such an instrument in agriculture remains a challenge, mainly due to high costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M C Jansen
- Wageningen University, Farm Technology Group, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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19
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Cook GW, LaPuma PT, Hook GL, Eckenrode BA. Using Gas Chromatography with Ion Mobility Spectrometry to Resolve Explosive Compounds in the Presence of Interferents*. J Forensic Sci 2010; 55:1582-91. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2010.01522.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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20
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Jansen R, Hofstee JW, Bouwmeester H, van Henten E. Automated signal processing applied to volatile-based inspection of greenhouse crops. SENSORS 2010; 10:7122-33. [PMID: 22163594 PMCID: PMC3231173 DOI: 10.3390/s100807122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2010] [Revised: 07/15/2010] [Accepted: 07/20/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Gas chromatograph–mass spectrometers (GC-MS) have been used and shown utility for volatile-based inspection of greenhouse crops. However, a widely recognized difficulty associated with GC-MS application is the large and complex data generated by this instrument. As a consequence, experienced analysts are often required to process this data in order to determine the concentrations of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of interest. Manual processing is time-consuming, labour intensive and may be subject to errors due to fatigue. The objective of this study was to assess whether or not GC-MS data can also be automatically processed in order to determine the concentrations of crop health associated VOCs in a greenhouse. An experimental dataset that consisted of twelve data files was processed both manually and automatically to address this question. Manual processing was based on simple peak integration while the automatic processing relied on the algorithms implemented in the MetAlign™ software package. The results of automatic processing of the experimental dataset resulted in concentrations similar to that after manual processing. These results demonstrate that GC-MS data can be automatically processed in order to accurately determine the concentrations of crop health associated VOCs in a greenhouse. When processing GC-MS data automatically, noise reduction, alignment, baseline correction and normalisation are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roel Jansen
- Wageningen University, Farm Technology Group/P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands; E-Mail:
- Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture / P.O. Box 644, 6700 AP Wageningen, The Netherlands; E-Mail:
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: ; Tel.: +31-317-480306; Fax: +31-317-484819
| | - Jan Willem Hofstee
- Wageningen University, Farm Technology Group/P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands; E-Mail:
| | - Harro Bouwmeester
- Wageningen University, Laboratory of Plant Physiology/P.O. Box 658, 6700 AR Wageningen, The Netherlands; E-Mail:
| | - Eldert van Henten
- Wageningen University, Farm Technology Group/P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands; E-Mail:
- Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture / P.O. Box 644, 6700 AP Wageningen, The Netherlands; E-Mail:
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Jansen RMC, Hofstee JW, Wildt J, Verstappen FWA, Bouwmeester HJ, van Henten EJ. Induced plant volatiles allow sensitive monitoring of plant health status in greenhouses. PLANT SIGNALING & BEHAVIOR 2009; 4:824-829. [PMID: 19847108 PMCID: PMC2802792 DOI: 10.4161/psb.4.9.9431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
A novel approach to support the inspection of greenhouse crops is based on the measurement of volatile organic compounds emitted by unhealthy plants. This approach has attracted some serious interest over the last decade. In pursuit of this interest, we performed several experiments at the laboratory-scale to pinpoint marker volatiles that can be used to indicate certain health problems. In addition to these laboratory experiments, pilot and model studies were performed in order to verify the validity of these marker volatiles under real-world conditions. This paper provides an overview of results and gives an outlook on the use of plant volatiles for plant health monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roel M C Jansen
- Farm Technology Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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Zhong Q, Steinecker WH, Zellers ET. Characterization of a high-performance portable GC with a chemiresistor array detector. Analyst 2009; 134:283-93. [DOI: 10.1039/b810944c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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24
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Contreras JA, Murray JA, Tolley SE, Oliphant JL, Tolley HD, Lammert SA, Lee ED, Later DW, Lee ML. Hand-portable gas chromatograph-toroidal ion trap mass spectrometer (GC-TMS) for detection of hazardous compounds. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2008; 19:1425-1434. [PMID: 18672381 DOI: 10.1016/j.jasms.2008.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2008] [Revised: 06/22/2008] [Accepted: 06/23/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
A novel gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) based on a miniature toroidal ion trap mass analyzer (TMS) and a low thermal mass GC is described. The TMS system has an effective mass/charge (m/z) range of 50-442 with mass resolution at full-width half-maximum (FWHM) of 0.55 at m/z 91 and 0.80 at m/z 222. A solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fiber mounted in a simple syringe-style holder is used for sample collection and introduction into a specially designed low thermal mass GC injection port. This portable GC-TMS system weighs <13 kg (28 lb), including batteries and helium carrier gas cartridge, and is totally self-contained within dimensions of 47 x 36 x 18 cm (18.5 x 14 x 7 in.). System start-up takes about 3 min and sample analysis with library matching typically takes about 5 min, including time for column cool-down. Peak power consumption during sample analysis is about 80 W. Battery power and helium supply cartridges allow 50 and 100 consecutive analyses, respectively. Both can be easily replaced. An on-board library of target analytes is used to provide detection and identification of chemical compounds based on their characteristic retention times and mass spectra. The GC-TMS can detect 200 pg of methyl salicylate on-column. n-Butylbenzene and naphthalene can be detected at a concentration of 100 ppt in water from solid-phase microextraction (SPME) analysis of the headspace. The GC-TMS system has been designed to easily make measurements in a variety of complex and harsh environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse A Contreras
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah 84602-5700, USA
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Hudson ED, Okuda K, Ariya PA. Determination of acetone in seawater using derivatization solid-phase microextraction. Anal Bioanal Chem 2007; 388:1275-82. [PMID: 17516051 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-007-1324-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2006] [Revised: 04/18/2007] [Accepted: 04/24/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Acetone plays an important role in the chemistry of both the atmosphere and the ocean, due to its potential effect on the tropospheric HO(x) (= HO + HO(2)) budget, as well as its environmental and health effects. We discuss the development of a mobile, sensitive, selective, economical and facile method for the determination of acetone in seawater. The method consists of derivatizing acetone to its pentafluorobenzyl oxime using 1,2,3,4,5-pentafluorobenzylhydroxylamine (PFBHA), followed by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). A detection limit of 3.0 nM was achieved. The buffering capacity of seawater imposes challenges in using the method's optimum pH (3.7) on seawater samples, requiring calibration standards to be made in buffered salt water and the acidification of seawater samples and standards prior to extraction. We employed the technique for analysis of selected surface seawater samples taken on the Nordic seas during the ARK-XX/1 cruise (R.V. Polarstern). An upper limit of 5.5-9.6 nM was observed for acetone in these waters, the first acetone measurements reported for far North Atlantic and Arctic waters. Simplified schematic of transformations of organic compounds at the atmosphere-ocean interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward D Hudson
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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Sanchez JM, Sacks RD. Performance characteristics of a new prototype for a portable GC using ambient air as carrier gas for on-site analysis. J Sep Sci 2007; 30:1052-60. [PMID: 17566340 DOI: 10.1002/jssc.200600367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The performance characteristics of a portable GC instrument requiring no compressed gas supplies and using relatively lightweight transportable components for the analysis of volatile organic components in large-volume air samples are described. To avoid the need for compressed gas tanks, ambient air is used as the carrier gas, and a vacuum pump is used to pull the carrier gas and injected samples through the wall-coated capillary column and a photoionization detector (PID). At-column heating is used eliminating the need for a conventional oven. The fused silica column is wrapped with heater wire and sensor wire so that heating is provided directly at the column. A PID is used since it requires no external gas supplies and has high sensitivity for many compounds of interest in environmental air monitoring. In order to achieve detection limits in the ppb range, an online multibed preconcentrator containing beds of graphitized carbons and carbon molecular sieves is used. After sample collection, the flow direction through the preconcentrator is reversed, and the sample is thermally desorbed directly into the column. Decomposition of sensitive compounds during desorption is greater with air as the carrier gas than with hydrogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan M Sanchez
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
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Zhong Q, Veeneman RA, Steinecker WH, Jia C, Batterman SA, Zellers ET. Rapid determination of ETS markers with a prototype field-portable GC employing a microsensor array detector. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING : JEM 2007; 9:440-8. [PMID: 17492089 DOI: 10.1039/b700216e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The adaptation of a portable gas chromatograph (GC) prototype with several unique design features to the determination of vapor-phase markers of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is described. This instrument employs a dual-stage adsorbent preconcentrator, two series-coupled separation columns that can be independently temperature programmed, and a detector consisting of an array of nanoparticle-coated chemiresistors, whose response patterns are used together with retention times for vapor recognition. An adsorbent pre-trap was developed to remove semi-volatile organics from the sample stream. Conditions were established to quantitatively capture two ETS markers, 2,5-dimethylfuran (2,5-DMF) and 4-ethenylpyridine (4-EP, as a surrogate for 3-EP), and to separate them from the 34 most prominent co-contaminants present in ETS using ambient air as the carrier gas. A complete analysis can be performed every 15 min. Projected detection limits are 0.58 and 0.08 ppb for 2,5-DMF and 4-EP, respectively, assuming a 1 L sample volume, which are sufficiently low to determine these markers in typical smoking-permitted environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiongyan Zhong
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, 109 S. Observatory, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, USA
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Abstract
Arson is a serious crime that affects society through cost, property damage, and loss of life. It is important that the methods and technologies applied by fire investigators in detection of evidence and subsequent analyses have a high degree of reliability, sensitivity, and be subject to rigorous quality control and assurance. There have been considerable advances in the field of arson investigation since the 1950s. Classification of ignitable liquids has been updated to include many new categories due to developments in the petroleum industry. Techniques such as steam or vacuum distillation and gas chromatography (GC) with flame ionization detection that may have been considered acceptable--even a benchmark--40 years ago, are nowadays generally disfavored, to the extent that their implementation may almost be considered as ignorance in the field. The advent of readily available mass spectrometric techniques has revolutionized the field of fire debris analysis, increasing the degree of sensitivity and discrimination possible considerably. Multi-dimensional GC--particularly GC x GC--while not yet widely applied, is rapidly gaining recognition as an important technique. This comprehensive review focuses on techniques and practices used in fire investigation, from scene investigation to analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alastair D Pert
- Department of Forensic & Biomedical Sciences, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, U.K
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