Organic Chemistry Section
Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry

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Mass Spectrometry Department | Ambient Air Analysis | PCBs and Pesticides in Tissue & Wildlife | PCBs and Pesticides in the Human Population | Safe Drinking Water Act | Sediments and Soils | PCB Congeners | Emerging Contaminants | Low Level PCBs and Pesticides in Surface Water

The Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry section conducts a variety of analytical testing, including: Purge & Trap volatiles by GC/MSD (EPA Methods 8260 and 524.2), Semi-Volatiles by GC/MS (EPA Method 625), Base/Neutral and Acid Extractable Priority Pollutants by GC/MS, and other specialty or custom identifications.

The GC/MS section houses two Agilent 6890/5973 GC/MSDs equipped with Tekmar Purge and Trap autosamplers, a Finnigan Magnum Ion Trap GC/MS, three Agilent 6890/5973 GC/MSDs with chemical ionization capability, an Agilent 6890/5973 GC/MSD with ambient air sampling capability, and an Agilent 6890/5973 GC/MSD equipped with a Gerstel autosampler for doing clinical headspace analysis.

Although our focus is primarily environmental analysis, the members of the GC/MS section have expertise in the analysis of samples from a diverse spectrum of applications including environmental, biological, medical and toxicological. The bulk of the analytical work done at the lab is performed for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). In addition, as a member of the Uinversity ofWisconsin-Madison family, the GC/MS section offers its analytical expertise to other UW departments, academic institutions, and state agencies. The following is a list of available services:

• Confirmation of metabolites and parent compounds in biological fluids and matrices.
• Electron Ionization (EI) and Chemical Ionization (CI). Unique compound fingerprinting of organic compounds is obtainable by EI. Molecular weight information of organic compounds can be obtained using CI and EI techniques.
• Quantification of solvents, and other hazardous chemicals in human blood and urine.
• Fatty acid analysis - esterification and analysis using fused silica capillary column chromatography.
• Purity determination of synthetic organic chemicals.
• Ultra low-level (ppb,ppt) detection and quantitation of environmental estrogens (chlorinated organics) in whole blood, water, and soils.
• Concentration and verification of organic chemicals in solution (e.g. chlorinated pesticides, herbicides, polynuclear aromatics, etc.).
• Ultra low-level determination of chemicals in food and packaging using multiple ion detection mode.
• Quantification of hazardous chemicals in water, soil, and sediments using EPA methodologies.
• Rapid screening of volatiles (solvent and gasoline related chemicals) in water, soil, and wastes.
• Determination of poly-cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water and soil.

If you did not see what you need in the above list, we would be happy to discuss your particular needs and the possibility of a custom analysis. If we cannot help you we may be able to direct you to another section of the lab that can.

The GC/MS Unit will be happy to partner with you in your research activities by providing mass spectrometry support. We will gladly work with you to meet your specific needs, including assisting you in preparing information for proposals (such as cost estimates). We have a history of quality work that has satisfied our partners, including assorted UW-Madison departments, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services.

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