Developments and applications of field mass spectrometers

Abstract

Qecent years have marked a shift in the U.S. public perception of and policy toward environmental contamination and hazardous waste production, treatment, and disposal. Legislation and changing public attitudes have altered the emphasis from expedient waste disposal to waste reduction, treatment, and remediation of contaminated sites. As a result, by the year 2020 more than 3000 national Superfund sites may be listed by EPA, with cleanup costs in excess of $150 billion [1-3). Moreover, the facility and landfill cleanups for the Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of Defense are estimated to exceed $2 trillion and $100 billion, respectively. DOE estimates that it will spend $15^5 billion for analytical services over the next 30 years.The current sample volume for hazardous constituent analyses exceeds 400,000 samples per year, and analytical costs at some of the larger DOE sites are in excess of $10 million annually (4).Site characterization-one of the most important components of the cleanup process-is conducted before, during, and after remediation, with analytical costs accounting for up to 80% of site delineation and 50% of remediation expenses (3).Current environmental sampling and analysis methods are time consuming, costly, and present potential exposure hazards to workers and the community. Measurement of environmental contaminants in the field can be preferable to laboratory analysis. The savings in time translate into cost savings by reducing the need for remobilization of field crews, and improved characterization resulting from "real-time," interactive sampling decisions. In addition, manipulation during sample collection, transportation, and storage can affect the sample integrity and thus the analytical results. Therefore, where possible, in-situ measurements of environmental contaminants in soil, water, and waste are preferred if they meet the data quality objectives and are cost competitive.Field analytical methods (FAMs) are designed to cheaply and rapidly produce data of sufficient quality to meet data quality objectives in nearreal time. We review here the state of the art and the application of gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) FAMs. This important organic analytical technique is a prime example of the trend in several areas of chemical and physical measurements of taking the measurement to the sample and providing information rapidly to facilitate decision making. Advantages of field analytical methodsFAMs range from adaptations of accepted laboratory methods with identical data quality objectives and documentation requirements to various screening methods. The latter include methods in which compound classes, not specific compounds, are identified; in which data quality objectives are consistent with project requirements; and in which documentation requirements are abbreviated. The field

NEREUS: engineering concept for an underwater mass spectrometer

“…Many mobile MSs have been intended for pollution studies (e.g. [13][14][15]). Miniature mass analyzers, as reviewed by Badman and Cooks [16], are clearly a desirable feature of any field system, although miniaturization of the mass analyzer does not itself assure a successful system, inasmuch as inlet, vacuum, data, and related peripheral systems also play a large part in determining overall size, weight, and performance.…”

Field demonstration and transition of SCAPS direct push VOC in-situ sensing technologies

“…Approximately 30% of all underground storage tanks (USTS) have leaked hazardous chemicals (Dowd 1984). Cost projections for environmental restoration of these sites range from $200 billion to $2 trillion (McDonald et al 1994). Characterization of the vertical and horizontal extent of subsurface soil and groundwater contamination is required before an appropriate remediation technology can be selected for site cleanup.…”

Rapid detection of volatile organic compounds in groundwater byin situ purge and direct-sampling ion-trap mass spectrometry

“…1 Approximately 30% of all underground storage tanks (USTs) have leaked hazardous chemicals. 2 Cost projections for en- 3 Characterization of the vertical and horizontal extent of subsurface soil and groundwater contamination is required before remediation technology can be selected for site cleanup. Site characterization of subsurface contaminants by conventional techniques is very costly and time consuming.…”