Environmental Mass Spectrometry
We have over 30 years of experience in geological, soil and sediment, and gas sample analysis.
The environmental mass spectrometry laboratory has over 30 years of experience in the analysis of soil and sediments, and gas samples. We specialise in the analysis of soil organic matter, pesticides, herbicides, pollutants, microbial and petrochemical lipids, petrochemical and greenhouse gases. We use gas chromatography (GC) to resolve complex mixtures of gases, and volatile and semi-volatile compounds, coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and other detectors such as flame ionisation (FID) and electron capture (ECD).
A range of clean-up techniques can be performed to prepare samples prior to GC analysis such as sonication, Soxhlet/Soxtec™, liquid-liquid extraction, microwave and accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), column chromatography, and solid phase extraction (SPE).
The environmental mass spectrometry laboratory can perform both routine and bespoke GC and GC-MS analysis with integrated liquid and pyrolysis autosamplers, and gas sampling valves. The laboratory can also perform headspace analysis. A range of column types are available for gas, polar and non-polar compounds to provide optimised separation of complex matrices backed up by the knowledge and experience of the technical staff. Appropriate methods can be developed according to customer requirements.
The laboratory also has LC-MS systems and a thermogravimetric analyser interfaced to a mass spectrometer (TGA-MS).
Environmental MS Facility (GC and GC-MS)
Agilent 7890A/5975C GC-MS and Frontier Lab 3030S Pyrolyser
The Agilent 7890A/5975C GC-MS is a single quadrupole mass analyser with EI/CI ion sources. It is equipped with a Frontier Lab 3030S Pyrolyser with an integrated autosampler.
It is used mainly for the analysis of macromolecular and polymeric organic matter.
Thermo Trace 1310/TSQ 8000 Evo GC-MS (Triple-Quad)
The Thermo Trace 1310/TSQ 8000 Evo GC-MS is a triple quadrupole mass analyser.
The triple quadrupole analyser enables selected reaction monitoring (SRM) with very high sensitivity to facilitate trace level detection in complex matrices.
Shimadzu GC-2014 GC-FID/ECD Gas Analyser
The Shimadzu GC-2014 GC-FID/ECD incorporates a dual packed column and dual gas sampling valve, and a Methanizer set up specifically for the analysis of greenhouse gases: methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide.
Agilent 8890 GC-FID / Agilent 8890 GC-FID/ECD
The Agilent 8890 GC-FID and GC-FID/ECD are equipped with autosamplers for liquid injections and sampling valves for gas analysis.
Agilent 7890B/5977B GC-MS
The Agient 7890B/5977B GC-MS is a single quadruple mass analyser with EI/CI ion sources.
It is used mainly for semi-volatile analysis e.g. aliphatics, PAHs, essential oils.
Agilent 8890/5977B GC-MS + TCD
The Agilent 8890/5977B GC-MS is a single quadruple mass analyser with gas sampling valve. It incorporates a temperature controlled 6-port valve with replaceable sample loop. It also has a TCD detector.
It is used mainly for the analysis of VOCs and permanent gases using a capillary PLOT or Molsieve column.
Agilent 8890/5977C GC-MS with 8697 Headspace sampler
The Agilent 8890/5977C GC-MS is a single quadruple mass analyser with EI source.
It is used mainly for volatiles analysis and incorporates an automated headspace analyser.
Environmental MS Facility (TGA-MS)
Netzsch Jupiter STA 449C
The Netzsch Jupiter STA 449C is a thermogravimetric analyser interfaced to an Aeolos QMS 403 quadrupole mass spectrometer.
It is used for the characterisation of evolved volatiles during the thermal analysis of a variety of samples, including soils and sediments as well as some engineered materials.
Contact us
To request a quote, or ask us a question, you can complete our analytical services general enquiry form below.
If you’re a Newcastle University staff member or student, you can visit the internal Research and Analytical Services' intranet page.