It is demonstrated that split-flow thin (SPLITT) fractionation, a continuous separation technique for sorting particles or macromolecules, can be utilized for the fractionation of environmental particles to study a size-dependent analysis of pollutants. In this study, focuses are made on the use of a pinched inlet gravitational SPLITT fractionation, a modified form of SPLITT channel formed by reducing the sample inlet thickness of the channel to improve separation efficiency, to separate marine sediments into five different sizes (<1.0, approximately 1.0 to 2.5, approximately 2.5 to 5.0, approximately 5.0 to 10, and approximately 10 to 53 microm). The resulting size fractions are examined with high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry to determine the size-dependent distribution of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans along with a statistical data treatment and are analyzed with inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry to ascertain its major and trace metals. It is shown that the combined analytical methods detailed in this study can be powerfully utilized in such a way as to analyze pollutant distribution and its concentration with regard to particle sizes for an environmental assessment.

Increased size-sorting performance in gravitational SPLITT by using a pinched sample inlet design Split-flow thin fractionation is a continuous, flow-assisted separation technique for sorting macromolecules and particulate matter on a preparative scale. On reducing the thickness of the sample inlet conduit of a gravitational split-flow thin fractionation channel, size-sorting performance is found to increase since particles that are continuously fed into the channel can be more rapidly compressed toward the upper wall of the channel. Experiments are carried out by measuring the number percentage of particles eluted at each outlet as a function of different thickness values of the sample inlet conduit. The effects that the total thickness of the gravitational split-flow thin fractionation channel and the sample feed concentration have on the size-fractionation performance are examined with the goal of determining the best pinched sample inlet, gravitational split-flow thin fractionation channel design.