The Essential Role of Chromatography in Water Analysis
The Importance of Water Analysis
Government agencies impose stringent regulatory standards on water testing, but these standards vary by geographical location. Detecting impurities in drinking water, groundwater, and wastewater is essential because it helps maintain public health and uphold environmental standards.
Regular water testing is crucial since it helps identify harmful pathogens or chemicals that might pose serious risks if consumed. Therefore, governments and companies implement water tests at treatment facilities to ensure that water meets regulatory standards.
Moreover, water analysis plays a key role in protecting the environment. It does this by monitoring aquatic ecosystems, identifying pollutants, and informing strategies that help prevent environmental damage. As a result, it supports sustainability efforts and safeguards biodiversity.
In addition, water quality analysis is vital for preventing disease. It enables quick detection of pathogens that can cause waterborne illnesses such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. Consequently, it reduces the likelihood of outbreaks and improves public health outcomes.
The role of chromatography in water analysis
Water quality analysts use various chromatography instruments to analyze water quality. These instruments separate, identify, and quantify chemical compounds in water samples. Water sources contain harmful substances such as pesticides, industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that pose serious health and environmental risks.
Chromatography detects pollutants, contaminants, and organic substances in water samples, ensuring water safety and quality. Analysts employ different types of chromatography depending on the contaminants.
For example, gas chromatography (GC) detects volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds, including benzene, toluene, and chlorinated solvents, which frequently contaminate industrial wastewater and groundwater. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) effectively analyzes non-volatile and water-soluble pollutants like pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals that agricultural runoff and pharmaceutical waste introduce into water supplies.
Related Applications
At SCION, we have extensive experience providing solutions that meet EPA and ISO standards for water analysis. Below are application notes where we effectively analyze water samples using our chromatography equipment.
Determination of 1,4-Dioxane in Water
This application note discusses the detection of 1,4-Dioxane contamination in drinking water. 1,4-Dioxane is a chemical commonly used in industrial processes, which can end up in groundwater and affect water supplies. The SCION 8700 GC-MS system, coupled with a Teledyne Tekmar Atomx Purge and Trap, was used to detect low concentrations of 1,4-Dioxane in water. The method demonstrated high sensitivity, with detection limits as low as 0.3ppb.
EPA 8260: Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds by GC-MS
This application note outlines the use of EPA Method 8260 for analyzing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in both water and solid waste through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). It emphasizes the performance of the SCION 8500 GC and the SCION 8700 SQ MS system, which are paired with the Tekmar Atomx XYZ Purge and Trap concentrator. The method ensures accurate and repeatable analyses, achieving high recovery rates and excellent linearity. Calibration curves and details on mass spectrometry (MS) tuning are included to illustrate how the system complies with EPA specifications for VOC analysis.
Analysis of Mineral Oils Utilising Temperature Programmed Large Volume Injection
This SCION application note examines a method for analyzing mineral oil hydrocarbons in water using SCION’s 8500 Gas Chromatograph (GC) equipped with a Programmable Temperature Vaporiser (PTV). It emphasizes the use of large volume injections (LVI) to simplify sample preparation and enhance throughput. The analysis adheres to the DIN-EN-ISO 9377 method, achieving high repeatability with minimal discrimination and producing results that are well within the method’s specifications. This technique effectively measures hydrocarbons at low concentrations, ensuring high recovery rates and accurate hydrocarbon ratio analysis.
Analysis of DEHP in Drinking Water by HPLC-DAD
This SCION application note outlines a method for detecting DEHP (a harmful plasticizer) in drinking water using SCION’s HPLC-DAD system. Using a C18 column, the system showed excellent separation, linearity, and repeatability. It demonstrated high sensitivity for DEHP detection, even at low concentrations (1ppm). The method was tested on mineral water and sports drinks, showing no DEHP in the samples, but the addition of standards confirmed its sensitivity.
Determination of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in water using GC-SQMS
This application note discusses the determination of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in water using the SCION GC-SQMS system. Highlighting the method’s ability to meet EPA standards for a limit of quantitation (LOQ) of ≤0.5ppb in drinking water. The sample preparation technique involves liquid-liquid extraction, and the NIST library search tool helps identify compounds. The method’s validation shows that the SCION GC-SQMS is ideal for precise PCB analysis in water.