Agilent Manuals

Rapid Analysis of High-Matrix Environmental Samples Using the Agilent 7500cx ICP-MS Application

The method is based on the use of a mixed 119Sn-enriched spike and uses GC-MS coupled with electron impact ionization to simultaneously determine monobutyl, dibutyl, and tributyltin in water, sediments, and biota.

The new Agilent 7500cx allows the user to achieve the full potential of ICP-MS for semiquantitative elemental screening of a wide range of sample types. Complex, unknown samples can be analyzed with better speed, accuracy, and data integrity than ever before, since all matrix interferences are removed in the Octopole Reaction System (ORS) using helium collision mode. Results are presented for three different certified reference materials.

This Application Brief describes the use of an Agilent 6410 Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer (QQQ) to analyze perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). A simple isocratic elution is carried out on a Rapid Resolution High Throughput C18 column (particle size 1.8 µm) with only water and methanol solvents containing 10 mM ammonium acetate. Elution time for standard dilutions of PFOA is only 2.3 minutes. Good linearity over more than 4 orders of magnitude, from 9 fg/µL to 150 pg/µL, is demonstrated with excellent peak area reproducibility of 5.5 % RSD at the 9 fg/µL level. The average peak-to-peak signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio at this level is 7.2. Sensitivity of surface water extracts is expected to be similar.

This document describes an indoor air analysis method using thermal desorption/gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (TD/GC/MS), and the creation of an Indoor Air Toxics Database. The database contains retention times and mass spectra for 171 volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds. With the use of the database and Agilent's Deconvolution Reporting Software (DRS), it is possible to identify these compounds within 2 to 3 minutes after TD/GC/MS analysis. The document also discusses the features and capabilities of DRS, as well as the analysis results of air samples from an office building and a carpet warehouse.

This application note describes a method for analyzing pharmaceuticals in water using solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) in both positive and negative ion modes. Good linearity was observed for analytes from 1 pg to 1 ng on column. Repeatability from six injections of analytes at 5 pg on column showed RSDs below 15%, for all target compounds except for fluoxetine at 23%.

This article introduces ways to improve the throughput of ICP-MS analysis of environmental samples, including using the 7500ce ICP-MS to optimize sample uptake and rinse time through various techniques, as well as using new rinse modes to improve productivity.

This bulletin describes the use of the Agilent Technologies 6890/5975 inert GC/MSD system for low-level polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) analysis using synchronous SIM/scan. The method provides improved sensitivity and maintains linearity over a wide calibration range.

This application note describes a robust analytical method for the determination of heavy metals and sub- substances regulated by the EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances/End of Life Vehicles (RoHS/ELV) directives. Based on the experience of Nihon Environmental Services Co., Ltd in Japan using an Agilent Technologies 7500c ORS (Octopole Reaction System) collision/reaction cell ICP-MS, this note summarizes: • An overview and validation of ICP-MS methodology for RoHS applications • Benefits of ICP-MS methodology to the analysis of trace elements in high matrix samples and limitations of EDXRF (Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence) for the measurement of lead in flame resistant plastics • Advantages of ICP-MS for RoHS applications.

This application note describes a method based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for the separation and determination of methyl and ethyl mercury. Because the different chemical forms of mercury exhibit different toxicities, separating elemental mercury from the alkylated forms provides vital information on the actual risk posed by a sample. The HPLC-ICP-MS method is applied to the analysis of water and soil samples. The method detection limits in water for MeHg, EtHg, and Hg2+ are better than 10 ng/L, and recoveries between 80% and 120% were obtained for the Hg species extracted from the soil samples.

This application note presents results for analysis of the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in polymers using the 5975 inert MSD

Researchers at TDK Corporation in Japan have developed a method based on laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for simultaneous quantitative analysis of major, minor, and trace elements in electroceramics. The method offers high sensitivity, spatial resolution of 10 µm, robustness, and rapid analysis.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) are used as flame retardants in diverse products such as textiles, circuit boards, and computer covers. Through the disposal of those products in landfills, PBDEs have found their way into the environment. Studies have shown that PBDEs have detrimental health effects. This application note describes the development of suitable gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, gas chromatography micro electron capture detection, and gas chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry methods to analyze PBDEs. The Agilent DB-XLB is the column of choice for this demanding analysis. The detection limit with micro electron capture detector was 100 ppt for most congeners.