Open Tubular Column Gas Chromatography in Environmental Sciences

The method of choice for analysis of organic pollutants in the environ- ment is gas chromatography, using one of the most common detection systems such as flame ionization, electron capture, and mass spectro- metric detection. Perhaps the most prevalent difference in practice among the envi- ronmental analytical chemists involves the type of column used in gas chromatography. The traditional packed-column gas chromatography is rapidly being replaced with wall-coated open tubular (WCOT) columns. However, in using WCOT columns there are difficulties in reporting analytical data and the means of quantitation. This book is intended to present a survey of the salient features of WCOT column gas chromatography that relate to the selection ofWCOT columns, their technology, separation efficiency, and determination of the principal groups of organic micropollutants, such as hydrocarbons, aromatics, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, organochlorine pollu- tants, chlorinated phenols, dioxins, dibenzofurans, ureas, carbamates, and odor-causing substances in complex environmental matrices. Hence, it is the hope of the authors that the content of this book will be of significance to a wide spectrum of disciplines that include environmental chemistry, industrial hygiene and health, toxicology, genetics, and in- dustry.