James W. Eichelberger

Multilaboratory study of automated determinations of polychlorinated biphenyls and chlorinated pesticides in water, soil, and sediment by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and chlorinated pesticides were determined in two water, three soil, and two sediment samples by six laboratories that used uniform calibration solutions and analytical procedures. Target analytes were identified and measured with special software operating on minicomputers that controlled mass spectrometer operation. PCBs were determined by level of chlorination, not as Aroclor formulations. All samples, except one soil sample, were fortified with pesticides. Water Bamples were fortified with PCBs (mixtures of Aroclorb), but solid samples were known to be environmentally contaminated with PCBs. Results obtained with four combinations of extraction and analyte enrichment procedures (cleanup) for solid samples were compared, but no combination could be selected as best for all five samples. Several factors affecting data quality were identified.

The mass spectrometer as a substance-selective detector in chromatography

Abstract The computerized mass spectrometer has several modes of data acquisition when applied as a detector in chromatographis systems. These and several modes of data reduction are defined with examples from the field of environmental measurements of organic pollutants. The overall advantages and disadvantages of the various techniques are discussed.