Grantee Research Project Results
Rapid Field Determination of Organic Contaminants in Water by Solid Phase Microextraction and Infrared Spectroscopy
EPA Grant Number: R825343Title: Rapid Field Determination of Organic Contaminants in Water by Solid Phase Microextraction and Infrared Spectroscopy
Investigators: Tilotta, David C.
Institution: University of North Dakota
Current Institution: Columbia University in the City of New York
EPA Project Officer: Chung, Serena
Project Period: January 1, 1997 through December 31, 1998 (Extended to December 31, 1999)
Project Amount: $205,350
RFA: Analytical and Monitoring Methods (1996) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Water , Land and Waste Management , Air , Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration , Environmental Statistics
Description:
The objective of this proposal is to develop a simple, sensitive, and rapid method for the field determination of organic contaminants in water which will combine solid phase microextraction (SPME) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. Succinctly, we will construct a reusable "dipstick" that contains a small film of a chromatographic solid phase that, when placed in a contaminated water sample, will selectively partition the organics into it. Once partitioned, an inexpensive, portable Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) will be used to spectrally determine the organics in the solid phase. This research will result in the development of a new, inexpensive field method for determining organic contaminants in water. Because the dipstick will be reusable, the proposed technique is expected to be inexpensive (20?/film) and generate no solvent waste.
We will identify and study 5-10 solid phases for use in the dipstick. These solid phases will be selected on the basis of their use in selectively extracting several important classes of organic contaminants from water (including volatile organic compounds, crop protection chemicals, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). Following the identification of candidate solid phases, a dipstick probe will be constructed from the solid phases and sheet aluminum, and the analytical information for the SPME/IR method will be obtained on the aforementioned contaminant classes (e.g., method detection limits, linear dynamic ranges of calibration, ruggedness, etc.). We will then compare this method to the standard methods for determining the target organics in water. Finally, once the SPME/IR method is completely characterized, it will be evaluated in the field at actual contaminant sites.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 6 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 3 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
analytical, measurement method, monitoring, water,, Scientific Discipline, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Physics, Environmental Chemistry, Chemistry, Monitoring/Modeling, Engineering, environmental monitoring, water extraction, gas chromatography, PAH, FTIR, rapid field determination, hydrocarbons, spectroscopic, chromatograph, solid phase microextraction, Fourier transform infrared, organic contaminantsProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.