Consumables for Environmental Sample Preparation

Importance of Environmental Sample Preparation

Accurate analysis of water and soil contaminants depends on reliable sample preparation. Traditional liquid–liquid extraction methods consume large volumes of solvent, require extensive manual work and can produce emulsions that compromise recovery. Solid phase extraction (SPE) disks and cartridges offer a greener, faster and more reproducible alternative, simplifying workflows in drinking water, wastewater and environmental monitoring laboratories.

Objectives and Overview

This document presents a portfolio of SPE consumables and related accessories designed to replace labor-intensive liquid–liquid extractions. It reviews disk and cartridge chemistries for semi-volatile organics, oil & grease, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), herbicides, pesticides and emerging contaminants. In addition, it covers solvent drying membranes and concentration systems that streamline post-extraction processing.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Extractions employ a range of media formats: Atlantic SPE Disks (C18, DVB, hydrophilic-lipophilic balance HLB variants, 8270 One-Pass), ReadyDisks in disposable holders, and ISOLUTE cartridges for PFAS and quaternary ammonium herbicides. Solid phase materials enable clean removal of analytes from aqueous matrices over a broad pH range.

Key instruments supporting automated or manual SPE include:

• Biotage Horizon 5000 for high-throughput automated disk extraction
• Biotage Horizon 3100 for oil & grease extraction
• SpeedVap IV solvent evaporator for rapid, controlled concentration
• DryVap concentrator with DryDisk membranes for water removal
• VacMaster™ and VacMaster™ Disk vacuum manifolds
• Solvent Drying System (SDS-101) with membrane holder and vacuum regulator

Key Results and Discussion

SPE disks reduce solvent usage by up to 90 % compared to liquid–liquid methods while eliminating emulsions. Certified lot-to-lot consistency ensures reproducible recoveries for EPA methods covering SVOCs, PFAS (EPA 537), oil & grease (EPA 1664 A/B), phenols, explosives, pesticides and pharmaceuticals. ReadyDisks offer single-use convenience for low-particulate samples, and pre-filters protect disks from clogging in dirty matrices. DryDisk membranes accelerate water removal twenty-fold versus sodium sulfate, simplifying final solvent concentration.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Reduced solvent consumption and waste disposal costs
• Improved throughput and operator safety
• Broad analyte coverage across regulated environmental methods
• Flexible formats for automated or manual workflows
• Compatibility with a wide pH range and sample volumes from milliliters to liters
• Reliable performance in clean and particulate-laden water samples

Future Trends and Opportunities

Advances in mixed-mode and high-capacity sorbents will further simplify multi-analyte workflows. Greater integration with robotic platforms and real-time monitoring promises end-to-end automation. Emerging challenges such as ultra-trace contaminants and complex matrices will drive development of novel adsorption materials and miniaturized SPE formats for field-deployable analysis.

Conclusion

Biotage offers a comprehensive suite of SPE consumables and accessories that deliver reproducible, high-recovery extractions for environmental analysis. By adopting these solutions, laboratories can meet stringent regulatory requirements while reducing solvent use, labor time and sample preparation complexity.

References

• Biotage. Consumables for Environmental Sample Preparation, Literature Number PPS582, 2019.