New instruments expand laboratory capabilities
New instruments expand laboratory capabilities
Environmental NEWS - Fall 2006
New instruments expand laboratory capabilities
Technological advances in analytical instrumentation continue to move the environmental laboratory business forward in terms of ability to offer clients faster, more reliable, and more sensitive testing techniques. By constantly evaluating and investing in cutting edge innovations, such as improved software, new instrument designs and new test methodologies, Lancaster Laboratories stays at the forefront of the industry. In addition to the new low level mercury analyzer described in a separate article on page 6, here’s what else is new in the Environmental Sciences Laboratories.
Nicole Kepley, senior chemist, loads water
samples on the Instrumental Water Quality Group’s
new discrete analyzer.
Bill Seymour, chemist in the Pesticide Group,
uses the new liquid chromatograph to
analyze for explosive residues.
ICP/MS – In the two years since Lancaster Labs received its original certification for using Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry (ICP/MS), the Metals Analysis Group has found the technology to be a great improvement over previous methods for metals analysis, such as graphite furnace. Lower detection limits and faster analysis times are key benefits, but the earlier ICP/MS instruments are still subject to interference from difficult sample matrices.
Lancaster Labs is acquiring a new generation of ICP/MS that employs octopole reaction system technology to eliminate matrix interferences.
The new ICP/MS uses a sample introduction system that includes a collision/reaction cell where interferences are removed before the sample is introduced into the mass spectrometer. Bob Strocko, manager of the Metals Analysis Group believes this will result in fewer repeat analyses and better turnaround time. “In the past, analysts had to make a lot of technical decisions, such as whether to dilute samples or analyze by an alternate technique. The collision cell technology will eliminate the need to do that. We’ll be able to run samples with complicated matrices that couldn’t be run using mass spectrometry before,” explains Strocko. He plans to use the same EPA method references for sample analysis, but expects to achieve better detection limits on some types of samples because dilution will no longer be necessary.
Fast LC – Although liquid chromatography (LC) is not new to the environmental laboratory, several vendors have engineered new instruments that take advantage of improved column technology to allow greatly reduced analysis time. Known as fast LC or ultra performance LC, the separations on these systems are accomplished by using columns packed with stationary phases made with smaller particles. These novel columns, coupled with higher pressure, result in a faster analysis while retaining peak resolution, sensitivity, and precision.
The Pesticide Residue Group installed a new LC with this capability and found that they were able to reduce run time from 40 minutes to 10 minutes when analyzing for trace explosives by USEPA method 8330. Jenifer Hess, manager of the group, explains that the shorter run times result in higher sample throughput. “We’ve been using this instrument 24/7 since we got it, and it’s been a lifesaver to get through large sample backlogs,” she says.
LC/MS/MS - The Pesticide Residue Group is looking forward to the arrival of an additional fast LC that will be equipped with tandem mass spectrometer detection (LC/MS/MS). This more sensitive and highly selective detector is typically used for nitrosamine, perchlorate and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) testing. The LC/MS/MS is ideal for high sample volume applications, and analysts plan to use it for a significant project that requires nitrosamine analysis on hundreds of samples every week.
Discrete Analyzer – Analysts in the Instrumental Water Quality Group are utilizing a new discrete analyzer that can be used to perform a variety of colorimetric tests. Along with the autoanalyzers that have been the workhorse instruments for this group, the new instrument increases laboratory capacity and improves turnaround time. Other benefits include shorter startup times and greatly reduced use of reagents to perform tests.
Discrete analyzers employ robotics to accurately perform scaled down versions of EPA approved methodologies. According to laboratory manager Erik Frederiksen, “The change in technology will be transparent to clients because we will be referencing the same EPA methods when we use the discrete analyzer. We don’t anticipate any changes in data reporting, such as detection limits.” High volume tests, like nitrate, will be among the first methods validated with the new equipment, but the instrument is capable of analyzing for a wide variety of tests that are based on measurement of color changes.