Selected concentration techniques for gas chromatographic analysis of environmental samples

Abstract

The paper describes the role and tasks of environmental analysis and monitoring. It emphasises the leading role played by gas chromatography, especially when coupled with suitable sample preparation. This is demonstrated by some literature evidence and mainly by the author's original work on the design of sample preparation apparatus and development of GC-based methods of determination of a wide variety of organic pollutants in environmental samples. A typical example is the physical speciation of PAHs and PCBs in river environment with the use of a home-made filtration vessel coupled with SPE cartridges to prepare samples for GC-MS analysis; thin layer head space with self-generation of aqueous concentrate to prepare humane urine samples for DAI (direct aqueous injection)-GC-ECD analysis for the content of volatile chloro-organic compounds; studies on capillary denuders in sampling organic air pollutants; passive dosimeters in indoor air quality measurements; design and application of thermal desorbers for the introduction of analytes into GC columns and modification of a speciation analyser for organometalic environmental pollutants.