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Webinar Highlights: From Sample to Knowledge: Strategies for Overcoming Challenges of Emerging Contaminants - PFC and Surfactants

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Experts share their approaches to evaluating some of the most challenging environmental compounds

9 Aug 2018
Aidan Barry
Administrator / Office Personnel

Expert insights

With ever increasing numbers of compounds and classes screened for and quantitated in environmental samples, the need for sensitive and efficient analytical instruments and methods continues to rise. In this seminar, hosted by Thermo Fisher Scientific at SETAC Europe, learn from experts about their approaches to evaluating some of the most challenging environmental compounds.

In the first part of the webinar, Dr. Davide Mariani, head of detergents and surfactants at Innovhub-SSI, reviews automated surfactant extraction for analysis and quantitation, followed by the challenges presented to current technologies by polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs).

The second part of the webinar is presented by Dr. Massimo Peruzzo, CEO at Eurolab Srl, who discusses how LC-HR-MS/MS (Orbitrap Q-Exactive Focus) can be used to overcome issues encountered by standard techniques during analysis of PFCs in challenging sample types such as wastewater or sludge, leading to enhanced accuracy and reliability. Also present was Dwain Cardona, environmental marketing manager at Thermo Fisher Scientific.

You can catch the webinar on demand by registering here, or read on to discover the Q&A highlights from the live event.

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Question and Answer Session

Q: How large is your compound list now and are there breakdown products and short-chain PFAS included?

Dwain Cardona: At the moment Massimo is analyzing around 26 compounds with the Orbitrap. He starts from the short-chain PFCs, like PFBA and PFBS, and then they arrive at compounds with 13 carbon atoms. They don't analyze any breakdown products, but they do use CO2 lock compounds like a confirmation ion for short-chain PFCs, PFBA and PFBS in particular.

Q: What other applications or contaminants are you using Orbitrap to analyze and why?

DC: Orbitrap has large capabilities that can be used for any compound analysis. Massimo is using it for pesticides on food samples, some phenols, ethoxylated phenols on environmental samples looking at textile samples. He's also looking at screening SBOC compounds on textiles and plastic samples. Generally, for any kind of contaminant, the Orbitrap is helpful in identifying your unknowns, as well as targeted applications with the benefit of high resolution, accurate mass, of course.

Q: For so many of the compounds there are not standards available; how are you calibrating the quantitation of these compounds?

Massimo Peruzzo: At the moment we're analyzing the 26 compounds using Orbitrap with the FCS compound. All the compounds are not divided but are calibrated to each standard. This means we don't analyze the compounds without a standard.

Q: Where in your sampling and analysis process are you seeing the most contribution of background PFAS contamination coming from?

MP: In our experience, the most contribution comes from the glassware. For the model, there is the possibility that some batches of methanol samples are contaminated with-short chain PFAS, and in this case it's mandatory to replace the methanol. We have never had a problem with contamination from a PFC tube.

Find out more on this topic by watching the full webinar on demand, or visit ourEnvironmental Community>>

SelectScience runs 3-4 webinars a month across various scientific topics, discover more of our upcoming webinars>>

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Sample PreparationSample preparation can improve the quality and speed of separation techniques. Products to assist sample preparation include filtration equipment, evaporators, membranes and sieves.Mass SpectrometryMass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful analytical technique used to identify and quantify molecules based on the mass-to-charge ratio of gas-phase ions. It provides detailed information about the structure, composition, and properties of compounds and is widely used across fields such as environmental monitoring, materials science, drug discovery and development, food and beverage testing, and wider chemical research. Key MS techniques include tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LS-MS) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS). Choosing from these wide range of techniques and technologies can be a daunting task, so keep up to date with scientific applications, performance expectations, and customer reviews here all in one place. Visit our product directory to receive quotes direct from the manufacturer. Sample ManagementSample management systems include sample storage devices such as freezers and plate storers, sample environment enclosures and sample organization, retrieval and sorter systems. Useful system features include high-throughput, automation, robotic arms, automated liquid handling and associated database systems. Accessories in sample management include barcode scanners, heat sealers and tubes.Environmental Monitoring and TestingEnvironmental monitoring and testing uses handheld portable analyzers, kits, spectrometers or chromatography systems for air, water, soil, food and other sample testing. Useful features of analyzers such as BOD and COD include portability, easy calibration, automation and sensitivity.  Environmental test kits for pH, water, moisture, etc, should be accurate, sensitive, reliable, fast and easy to use.Solid-Phase ExtractionSolid-phase extraction (SPE) is used for clean-up, extraction and concentration of semi-volatile or non-volatile analytes from complex mixtures including blood, urine and food samples. Multiple formats are available for conducting SPE, including prepacked SPE cartridges, disks and microplates, as well as SPE sorbent powders for manual packing. SPE systems can be used to automate the process and extract multiple samples at once. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and supported liquid extraction (SLE) products are also available in the same formats. Find the best SPE, SLE and SPME equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.LC-MSLC-MS (liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry) systems and equipment are used for separation and quantitative analysis of complex mixtures, combining liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Quantify proteins, contaminants, pesticides or screen for drug metabolites with a high level of sensitivity. LC-MS systems and equipment include reverse phase, normal phase and specialized columns integrated with various MS detectors such as time-of-flight (TOF), quadrupole, orbitrap or ion trap mass analyzers. LC-MS/MS instruments equipped with a qTOF or triple quadrupole analyzer give greater sensitivity and resolving power to your analysis. Find the best LC-MS equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Waste WaterWater AnalysisAnalytical methods used to test the purity of drinking water include determining the level of contaminants abides to the level set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).Environmental AnalysisEnvironmental analysis describes a variety of tests that determine the effect of chemicals, processes and particulates such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have on the environment.Ion Trap

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Webinar Highlights: From Sample to Knowledge: Strategies for Overcoming Challenges of Emerging Contaminants - PFC and Surfactants