Environmental Analysis Solutions - Chemistry & Consumables

Significance of the Topic

Environmental contamination of water, soil, and air poses significant challenges to public health, ecosystems, and regulatory compliance. Emerging pollutants such as pharmaceuticals, per- and polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs), endocrine disruptors, and legacy chemicals drive the need for advanced analytical approaches with higher sensitivity, selectivity, and throughput. Waters Corporation’s comprehensive Environmental Analysis Solutions address these challenges by integrating innovative sample preparation, separation science, and detection technologies to support regulatory methods and research worldwide.

Objectives and Overview of the Study

This whitepaper surveys Waters’ analytical workflows for monitoring contaminants in surface water, drinking water, wastewater, soil, and air. Key goals include meeting or exceeding regulatory requirements (e.g., EPA Methods 1694, 531.2, 8330, 554, 8315, California Method 1004) while providing robust, reproducible recoveries and rapid run times. The study highlights dedicated kits and columns for pharmaceuticals, carbamate pesticides, PFCs, endocrine disruptors, explosive residues, and carbonyl compounds.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Across matrices, solid-phase extraction (SPE) forms the sample-preparation foundation, employing Oasis HLB, MAX, MCX, WCX, and Sep-Pak cartridges tailored to compound classes. Chromatographic separations use Waters’ HPLC and UPLC platforms with advanced stationary phases (C18, HILIC, BEH C8/C18/Phenyl) and gradients optimized for resolution and speed. Detection is achieved via tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), fluorescence, and UV techniques. SPE recoveries and chromatographic performance were validated through replicate analyses and matrix-matched standards.

Instrumentation highlights:

• Waters Alliance HPLC systems and Empower software
• ACQUITY UPLC with BEH C18, C8, Phenyl, Atlantis HILIC columns
• ACQUITY UPLC/TQD and Quattro Premier XE MS/MS platforms
• Model 470 Fluorescence Detector
• Oasis and Sep-Pak SPE cartridges for targeted analyte enrichment
• PFC Isolation Column for background contaminant removal

Main Results and Discussion

Pharmaceutical analysis by EPA Method 1694 demonstrated average SPE recoveries above 80% across four analyte groups, ensuring consistency in HPLC/MS/MS quantitation. Carbamate pesticides and metabolites were baseline-resolved in under 20 minutes with fluorescence detection, exceeding AOAC sensitivity requirements. PFC workflows effectively isolated background PFOA/PFOS contributions, enabling detection at low ng/L levels. Endocrine disruptors including steroid hormones and Bisphenol A were quantified down to 50 ppt with Oasis HLB SPE and UPLC/MS/MS. Explosive residues in soil met EPA 8330 criteria using UPLC separation on BEH C18, delivering clear peak resolution of nitroaromatic and nitramine compounds. Ambient air analysis of aldehydes and ketones using DNPH cartridges and UPLC cut run times by up to 75% while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Regulatory compliance: Methods validated against EPA, ISO, and CARB standards
• High sensitivity: Detection at ppt-ng/L levels for trace contaminants
• Efficiency: Reduced run times and simplified sample workflows
• Versatility: Modular kits for water, soil, and air matrices
• Reliability: Consistent recoveries and low background interferences

Future Trends and Applications

Continued development of novel sorbents, miniaturized and automated sample-preparation platforms, and high-resolution mass spectrometry will further enhance sensitivity and throughput. Integration of data analytics and machine learning promises more efficient method development and real-time monitoring. The expansion of emerging contaminant panels (e.g., microplastics, novel PFAS, new pharmaceutical metabolites) will drive demand for adaptable, high-capacity analytical systems.

Conclusion

Waters Corporation’s Environmental Analysis Solutions deliver end-to-end workflows that meet evolving regulatory and research needs across water, soil, and air. By combining advanced SPE, cutting-edge chromatographic separations, and sensitive detection systems, these solutions ensure accurate, reproducible quantitation of a broad spectrum of contaminants.

Reference

• EPA Method 1694: Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products by HPLC/MS/MS
• EPA Method 531.2: Carbamate Pesticide Analysis
• EPA Method 8330: Nitroaromatics and Nitramines by UPLC
• EPA Methods 554/8315 and California Method 1004: Aldehydes and Ketones by DNPH/UPLC
• ISO 16000: Indoor Air Quality — Carbonyl Compounds