Topics in Preservation Science
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Conservation Applications of Solid-Phase Microextraction
April 18, 2006, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Pickford Theater, 3rd floor James Madison Building
ABOUT THE LECTURE:
Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is a simple, sensitive, and economical
method for collecting and preparing samples for analysis by gas or liquid
chromatography. The technique uses polymer-coated fibers to concentrate
samples from gas or liquid phases without using solvents. The fiber is
then injected into the chromatograph for analysis. The Research and Testing
Lab at the National Archives and Records Administration has used SPME
for the past several years in combination with gas chromatography/mass
spectrometry. Plasticizers used with document lamination films are easily
identified using SPME. Volatile organic pesticides previously used to
treat Native American artifacts have also been studied. SPME fibers are
currently being used to study acetic acid and other pollutant gases in
Archives storage areas. A modified fiber is being tested for use as a
very simple method for collecting time-weighted average readings of pollutant
concentrations.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Mark Ormsby is currently a Conservation Scientist at the National Archives
and Records Administration (NARA). He graduated from Grinnell College
with a degree in physics and received a MS in physics from the University
of Maryland. Since 1990, he has worked at NARA where his research interests
include environmental monitoring, studying the role of gelatin sizing
in paper degradation, and developing new applications of solid-phase
microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS).