Environmental Mass-Spectrometry
Environmental Mass-Spectrometry
Overview
The Environmental Mass-Spectrometry Laboratory has over 30 years of experience in the analysis of geological, soil/ and sediment and gas samples. We specialise in the Mass-Spectrometry of soil organic matter, pesticides, herbicides, pollutants, microbial lipids and petrochemicalslipids, petrochemicals and greenhouse gases. We use Gas Chromatography Mass-Spectrometry (GC-MS) to analyse complex mixtures of small molecules (organics, gases, etc.) that can easily vaporise without thermal decomposition.
A range of solvent based extraction (e.g. sonication, Soxhlet/Soxtec™, liquid-liquid, microwave extraction and accelerated solvent extraction) and chromatographic separation (e.g. column chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, solid phase extraction) techniques are available for the preparation of environmental samples prior to GC-MS analysis.
The Environmental Mass-Spectrometry Laboratory can perform both standard and customised GC-MS analysis (e.g. injector technique, column type and dimensions, carrier gas and flow rate, heating rate, detector type). This can be supported via addition GC instrumentation, including flame ionisation and electron capture detectors. Appropriate methods can be developed, based on the polarity and volatility of compounds, according to customer requirements.
If you have questions about the SAgE Analytical Facility or would like to request a quote, contact us.
Agilent 6890-5975 GC-MS
The Agilent 6890-5975 GC-MS is a single quadrupole system with autosampler, split-splitless and PTV injectors and EI/CI sources.
It is mainly used for detection and quantification of natural and pollutant hydrocarbons in:
- waters
- soils
- sediments
- rocks
- crude oils
- natural products like fatty acids (as FAMES)
- organic environmental micropollutants of waters, soils and sediments
Hewlett Packard 5890-5973 GC-MS
This Hewlett Packard 5890-5973 GC-MS is a single quadrupole system with CDS 1000 pyrolysis and splitsplitless injectors and EI/CI sources.
It is mainly used for the characterisation of naturally occurring macromolecular and polymeric organic matter, such as:
- peats
- coals
- kerogens
- lignin
- humic material
Fisons 8060-MD800
The Fisons 8060-MD800 is a single quadrupole system with split-splitless injector and EI source.
It is mainly used for detection and quantification of gases in natural and experimental (e.g. microcosm) systems.
Types of gases measurable and their detection limits vary and also depend on column used.
It is currently mainly used for CO2 and CH4 detection.
ThermoFinnigan DeltaV+
The ThermoFinnigan DeltaV+ in an isotope ratio mass spectrometer, interfaced to a Thermo Trace GC with split-splitless injector and autosampler, for compound-specific δ13C and δD measurements.
ThermoFinnigan LCQ Advantage LC-MSn
This is a Thermo Surveyor LC system with autosampler and diode array detector. It is an LCQ Advantage Ion Trap MS with MSn MS-MS functionality. It has Electrospray and APCI interfaces.
It is used for (micro)biological and environmental small polar molecule detection and identification.
Currently, it is mainly used for bacteriohopanepolyol characterisation in bacterial membrane lipid extracts and soil, sediment and rock lipid extracts.
Waters Xevo TQS UPLC-MS-MS
This is a Waters Aquity gradient UPLC system with autosampler and diode array detector. It has Xevo TQS triple quadrupole UPLC-MS-MS, with Electrospray, APCI and APPI interfaces.
It is used for (micro)biological and environmental small polar molecule detection, identification and quantification.
Currently, it's mainly used for detection and quantification of organic environmental micropollutants of waters, soils and sediments, such as:
- estrogenic endocrine disruptors
- pesticides and pesticide metabolites
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.
Dr Bill Guthery
Senior Analytical Technician
Prof Yit Arn Teh
Professor of Soil Science
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Contact us
If you have questions about the SAgE Analytical Facility or would like to request a quote, contact us.