Shimadzu Journal Vol 03 - Environmental Analysis

Importance of the topic

Environmental analysis and monitoring are critical for assessing human and ecological health risks associated with water quality, persistent pollutants and industrial activity.
Combining multiple analytical techniques enables more reliable detection, validation and prevention of environmental contamination.
Global cooperation and capacity building are essential to implement multilateral agreements such as the Stockholm Convention on POPs.

Objectives and overview of the journal issue

This Shimadzu Journal Issue 1 (2015) focuses on environmental analysis through collaborative research, technical reports and case studies.
It highlights innovative analytical solutions and real‐world applications in groundwater quality assessment, bioremediation, hydraulic fracturing, global POPs monitoring and energy‐efficient instrumentation.

Methodology and instrumentation

Groundwater quality was characterized by:

• GC-MS (Shimadzu QP2010 Ultra) with AOC-20i/s autosampler for volatile and semi-volatile organics.
• HS-GC-FID (Shimadzu GC-2010 Plus, AOC-5000) for low‐boiling solvents and alcohols.
• TOC/TN analysis (Shimadzu TOC-L/TNM-L) for total organic and nitrogen content.
• ICP-OES (Shimadzu ICPE-9000) with mini-torch nebulizer and CETAC ASX-520 for multi‐element metals.
• Multiparameter probe (YSI Professional Plus) for in situ pH, conductivity, DO, ORP, temperature.

Additional studies utilized:

• LC-MS/MS (Shimadzu LCMS-8040, Nexera XR) for PFOS/PFOA monitoring and surfactant profiling.
• LC-IT-TOF-MS for glycosphingolipid structural analysis.
• EPMA-8050G for high‐resolution microanalysis.

Main results and discussion

Prof. Kevin Schug’s team demonstrated a comprehensive approach for groundwater near shale gas wells, showing:

• Strong correlation between total dissolved metals (ICP-OES) and conductivity (probe).
• Detection of trace volatiles (GC-MS) and low‐boiling alcohols (HS-GC-FID).
• TOC/TN as rapid screening indicators for organic contamination.

Prof. Michihiko Ike’s investigation of plant–microbe systems revealed that floating plant roots concentrate pollutant‐degrading bacteria, suggesting novel low‐energy bioremediation pathways.

Hydraulic fracturing analysis outlined key fluid components (sand, surfactants, acids, biocides, scale inhibitors) and recommended targeted methods (GC-FID, GC-MS, ICP-OES, LC-MS) for environmental surveillance.

UNU-Shimadzu partnership trained Asian laboratories in PFOS/PFOA monitoring by LC-MS/MS, generating reproducible data across dry and wet seasons to support the Stockholm Convention’s Global Monitoring Plan.

Shimadzu’s "Save the Energy" project certified 34 energy-efficient models (ECO-label), reducing customer CO₂ by over 10 000 t globally and cutting standby power by up to 36 %.

The iMScope TRIO imaging mass microscope and Nexera-e LC-GCxGC-MS/MS were honored in the 2014 The Analytical Scientist Innovation Awards for groundbreaking spatial molecular imaging and five-dimensional chromatography.

Benefits and practical applications of the methods

– Enhanced sensitivity and selectivity for complex matrices.
– Reduced false positives via complementary validation across techniques.
– Faster, automated workflows from sample prep to analysis.
– Energy savings and lower operating costs through ECO-label instrumentation.
– Global data comparability through standardized QA/QC and training.

Future trends and potential applications

– Predictive environmental monitoring integrating big data and IoT.
– Advanced two-dimensional chromatography for non-target screening.
– Engineering plant–microbe consortia for green manufacturing and waste valorization.
– Further miniaturization and field deployment of mass spectrometry.
– Expansion of global networks to track emerging contaminants.

Conclusion

Holistic analytical strategies combining state-of-the-art instrumentation underpin robust environmental assessments and compliance.
Partnerships between academia, industry and international organizations accelerate capacity building and innovation.
Continuous advances in sensitivity, speed and sustainability of analytical systems will drive improved environmental stewardship worldwide.

References

• Fontenot B. E. et al. Environ Sci Technol. 2013;47:10032-10040.
• ISO 25101:2009(E) Water quality – Determination of PFOS and PFOA – LC/MS method.