The direct sampling ion trap mass spectrometer for the rapid analysis of volatile organic contaminants in groundwater samples

Abstract

Analytical results of volatile organic contaminant (VOC) concentrations in groundwater samples from A/M Area obtained using a direct sampling ion trap mass spectrometer (DSITMS) and a gas chromatograph (G_ with an electron capture detector (ECD) were comparable. Replicate water samples were collected at the Integrated Demonstration Site during four bii-weekly sampling periods and analyzed by both instruments. The calibration curves prepared for both the DSITMS and GC-ECD are essentially linear over the concentration range analyzed. The advantage of the DSITMS over the GC-ECD method is the rapid sample analysis time of the DSITMS. In order to validate the technology for use in the sample minin3tization efforts at SRS, duplicate groundwater samples from selected compliance wells were analyzed by DSITMS and GC-ECD. The DSITMS is appropriate to use for field screening water samples before offsite analysis. These analytical results will be compared with results from offsite labs contracted to perform contract lab program (CLP) analyses of regulatory samples when these analyses are available.

The cost effectiveness of field methods for determining volatile organic compounds

“…The DSITMS differs from the other five technologies in that it does not have a gas chromatograph front end [8,9,24,25]. In the DSITMS, the GC sample introduction technique is replaced by a helium purge coupled to a modular, direct-sampling inlet.…”

“…Other studies have reported on the efficacy of field analytical methods to supplement or replace off-site methods for remedial characterization [1,2,8,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27]. Those studies focus primarily on the technical aspects of various instruments or procedures for performing VOC sample analysis in the field.…”

“…Six different field analytical technologies were examined for this report: the DSITMS consisting of a Finnegan-MAT ion trap mass spectrometer Downloaded by [University of Arizona] at 13:46 03 February 2015 (F-MAT ITMS) connected to a custom-made, modular, direct-sampling inlet developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) [8,9,24,25]; an instrument developed at LANL consisting of an SRI GC coupled to a Finnegan-MAT ion trap detector [3,4]; the commercially available 5890 Series IIGC/MS with a 5971A mass-selective detector (MSD) made by HewlettPackard (HP); the SpectraTTak 620 GC/MS marketed by Viking Instruments with the same 5971A MSD; a suitcase-size GC made by Photovac called the 10S Plus; and a portable GC made by Sentex called the Sentograph "Plus II". Some of these technologies are transportable; that is, they can be transported to the site and accessed from a vehicle.…”

The Savannah River Environmental Technology Field Test Platform: Phase 2

“…completed EPA Equivalency testing and is now an EPA approved method. A report has been completed which compares DSITMS results with baseline methods (Eddy-Dilek, et al 1993). 10 S Plus GC (Photovac, Inc.). The 10s Plus GC (approximately $24,OOO)-is an all inclusive field deployable GC with an isothermal oven and photo-ionization detector: The instrument has a built-in carrier gas reservoir, data analysis system, and rechargeable'battery.…”