Measurement of PCDDs, PCDFs, and non-ortho-PCBs by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-isotope dilution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC x GC-IDTOFMS)

Jean François Focant, Eric J. Reiner, Karen MacPherson, Terry Kolic, Andreas Sjödin, Donald G. Patterson, Shawn L. Reese, Frank L. Dorman, Jack Cochran

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73 Scopus citations

Abstract

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with isotope-dilution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-IDTOFMS) was used to measure polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD), polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF), and coplanar polychlorinated biphenyl (cPCB) concentrations in ash, sediment, vegetation, and fish samples. The GC × GC capability was achieved by using a quad jet, dual stage, thermal modulator. Zone compression of the GC peaks from modulation resulted in a significant increase of the signal intensity over classical GC-IDTOFMS. The GC × GC column set used an Rtx-Dioxin 2 phase as the first dimension (1D) and an Rtx-500 as the second dimension (2D). The chromatographic separation of the 17 PCDD/Fs and the 4 cPCBs was attained in 1D except for 2,3,7,8-TCDD and CB126 for which deconvoluted ion currents (DIC) were required to be reported separately. The Rtx-500 phase separated the bulk matrix interfering compounds from the target analytes in 2D. The instrumental limit of detection (iLODs) was 0.5 pg for 2,3,7,8-TCDD. The calibration curves showed good correlation coefficients for all the compounds investigated in the concentration range of 0.5-200 pg. GC × GC-IDTOFMS results compared favorably to those from conventional isotope-dilution one-dimensional gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (GC-IDHRMS). The comprehensive mass analysis of the TOFMS further permitted the identification of other contaminants of concern in the samples.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1231-1240
Number of pages10
JournalTalanta
Volume63
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 8 2004

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Analytical Chemistry

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