Atlantic® & Pacific® Disk Selection Guide

Importance of SPE Disk Selection

Solid-phase extraction (SPE) disks are essential for reliable removal and concentration of trace organic pollutants in environmental and industrial water analysis. Selecting the appropriate sorbent chemistry and disk format ensures compliance with stringent regulatory methods, enhances analyte recovery across diverse compound classes, and supports high-throughput, automated workflows.

Objectives and Guide Overview

This guide presents a systematic overview of Atlantic & Pacific SPE disk products, correlating disk chemistries and formats with US EPA, ISO and European regulatory methods. It aims to assist analytical chemists and laboratories in choosing the optimal disk for target analyte groups—such as pesticides, semivolatiles, dioxins, PAHs, PCBs, PBDEs, PPCPs and oil & grease—across a range of aqueous matrices.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Disk chemistries covered include:

• C18 and high-capacity C18 for general semivolatiles and pesticides
• DVB (divinylbenzene) for polar and non-polar SVOCs
• HLB variants (L, M, H) for broad-spectrum retention of polar organics, endocrine disruptors and pharmaceuticals
• One Pass disks for simultaneous extraction of mixed polarity organics
• Premium hexane-extractable disks for oil & grease analyses

Key instrumentation referenced in application workflows:

• SPE-DEX automated SPE platforms (models 4790, 1000/3000XL)
• EZ Flow sediment disk holders
• Envision automation software (v1.02)
• GC/MS systems for target compound quantification

Main Features and Discussion

Each disk type is mapped to specific US EPA and ISO methods (e.g., EPA 525.2/525.3/1664A, Method 608, 8270, ISO 9377-2, EN16691-94). Selected application notes illustrate performance data:

• Organochlorine pesticides and PCBs in wastewater (AN019-HOR)
• PAHs and PBDEs in surface and drinking water (AN072-HOR, AN055-HOR)
• Endocrine disruptors and pharmaceuticals in aqueous matrices (AN001-HOR, AN061-HOR)
• Oil & grease determination in compliance with EPA 1664A/B (AN025-HOR, TN010)

Discussion highlights the importance of matching disk sorption capacity and selectivity to target analytes and sample matrices to achieve method detection limits and accurate quantitation.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Streamlined sample preparation and reduced solvent consumption through automated SPE
• Consistent compliance with a spectrum of regulatory methods
• High analyte recovery and matrix cleanup across diverse organic classes
• Scalable disk formats (47 mm to 100 mm) for varying sample volumes and throughput needs
• Compatibility with existing laboratory SPE and GC/MS instrumentation

Future Trends and Possibilities

Emerging directions include further integration of online SPE-LC/MS workflows for real-time monitoring, development of novel sorbents for ultra-polar and emerging contaminants, miniaturized disk formats for field sampling, and AI-driven method optimization to streamline custom disk selection and method validation.

Conclusion

The Atlantic & Pacific SPE disk portfolio provides a comprehensive solution for environmental and industrial water analysis, covering a broad range of organic compound classes and regulatory requirements. By aligning disk chemistry, format and automation, laboratories can achieve robust, high-throughput workflows with reliable sensitivity and compliance.

Used Instrumentation

• SPE-DEX 4790 automated SPE system with Envision platform
• SPE-DEX 1000/3000XL controller
• EZ Flow sediment disk holder
• Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS)