Environmental workflow solutions

Importance of Topic

Environmental monitoring demands robust and sensitive analytical workflows to detect trace levels of contaminants such as pesticides, PFAS, semi-volatile organic compounds, polar pesticides, volatile organics, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Integrated solutions that streamline sampling, extraction, separation, and detection enhance data quality, reduce variability, and accelerate decision-making for water quality assessment and public health protection.

Objectives and Overview

This summary presents Thermo Fisher Scientific’s complete environmental workflow solutions, covering:

• Pesticide analysis via online SPE and UHPLC-MS/MS (EPA 543)
• PFAS quantitation in water samples by LC-MS/MS (EPA 8327)
• Semi-volatile organic compound (SVOC) profiling by GC-MS
• Polar pesticide separation using mixed-mode HPLC
• Volatile organic compound (VOC) determination by purge-and-trap GC-MS (EPA 524.2)
• High-throughput analysis of dioxins and other POPs by dual-column GC-HRMS

Methodology and Instrumentation

Each workflow integrates sampling, cleanup, chromatographic separation, and mass spectrometric detection to meet regulatory requirements and laboratory throughput goals. Key steps include:

• Solid-phase extraction (offline and online SPE) for pre-concentration and matrix cleanup
• UHPLC separation on Core Enhanced and endcapped C18 columns or mixed-mode phases for polar and nonpolar analytes
• GC separation on low-bleed, high-resolution columns for volatiles and POPs
• Use of single or triple quadrupole MS and high-resolution magnetic sector MS for targeted quantitation and confirmation

Instrumention Used

Major instruments and consumables employed across the workflows include:

• Vanquish Flex UHPLC systems and TSQ Altis Plus triple quadrupole MS
• Accucore RP-MS, Hypersil GOLD aQ, HyperSep SPE, and Acclaim Trinity P1 HPLC columns
• AI/AS 1610 and TriPlus RSH SMART autosamplers
• ISQ 7610 single quadrupole and DFS GC-HRMS systems with TRACE 1600 GCs
• TraceGOLD and TRACE series GC columns, purge-and-trap systems, and SureSTART vial and cap kits

Main Results and Discussion

• Pesticide workflow achieved consistent online SPE pre-concentration, low-level quantitation, and minimal manual intervention.
• PFAS method delivered recovery and reproducibility within regulatory criteria (RSD <20%) across water matrices using Accucore RP-MS columns.
• SVOC analysis of phenols by GC-MS on TraceGOLD TG-5SilMS demonstrated clear separation and sensitivity at ng/µL levels.
• Mixed-mode HPLC on Acclaim Trinity P1 enabled simultaneous detection of cationic and anionic polar pesticides without derivatization.
• VOC separation by purge-and-trap GC-MS on TG-VMS columns provided baseline resolution of trihalomethanes and related compounds in <12 minutes.
• Dual-column GC-HRMS configuration increased throughput for PCDD/F, PCBs, and PBDEs, facilitating rapid switching among methods.

Benefits and Practical Applications

These end-to-end workflows deliver:

• Reduced sample handling and variability through automation (online SPE, autosamplers)
• Enhanced sensitivity and selectivity with optimized chromatographic phases and MS detection
• Faster turnaround times for routine regulatory testing and research applications
• Scalable solutions adaptable to drinking water, surface water, groundwater, and wastewater monitoring

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Emerging directions include:

• Integration of high-resolution and tandem MS data with AI-driven analytics for non-target screening
• Miniaturized and field-deployable extraction devices for on-site monitoring
• Green extraction techniques and low-bleed materials to support sustainability goals
• Expanded mixed-mode and novel stationary phases for ultra-polar and emerging contaminants

Conclusion

Thermo Fisher’s complete environmental workflows combine advanced extraction, chromatography, and mass spectrometry technologies to address the diverse challenges of trace contaminant analysis. These solutions ensure reliable, high-throughput, and compliant data generation for environmental scientists and laboratories worldwide.