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Rapid Field Determination of Organic Contaminants in Water by Solid Phase Microextraction and Infrared Spectroscopy

EPA Grant Number: R825343
Title: 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
EPA Project Officer: Stelz, Bill
Project Period: January 1, 1997 through December 31, 1998 (Extended to December 31, 1999)
Project Amount: $205,350
RFA: Analytical and Monitoring Methods (1996)
Research Category: Environmental Statistics , Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration

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 7 publications for this project

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 4 journal articles for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

analytical, measurement method, monitoring, water, , Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Scientific Discipline, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Monitoring/Modeling, Engineering, water extraction, hydrocarbons, gas chromatography, FTIR, solvents, Fourier transform infrared, solid phase microextraction, spectroscopic, chromatograph, environmental monitoring, rapid field determination, organic contaminants

Progress and Final Reports:
1997 Progress Report
1998 Progress Report
Final Report

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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.

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