Volatile halogenated hydrocarbons - Separation of 28 volatile halogenated hydrocarbons in water on a super thick film fused silica capillary column

Importance of the Topic

The reliable separation and quantification of volatile halogenated hydrocarbons in water is vital for environmental monitoring and regulatory compliance. These compounds pose health risks and can persist in aquatic ecosystems, making sensitive and comprehensive analytical methods essential for water quality assessment.

Objectives and Study Overview

This application note from Agilent Technologies presents a gas chromatographic method capable of resolving 28 volatile halogenated hydrocarbons within a 50-minute run. The work demonstrates the use of a super thick film fused silica capillary column to achieve rapid and efficient separation for environmental water analysis.

Applied Instrumentation

• Technique: Capillary gas chromatography
• Column: Agilent CP-Sil 8 CB, 0.32 mm × 50 m, 5.0 µm film thickness
• Temperature Program: 35 °C initial, ramp 2 °C/min to 200 °C
• Carrier Gas: Hydrogen at 75 kPa (32 cm/s linear velocity)
• Injector: Split mode at 200 °C, split flow 200 mL/min
• Detector: Flame ionization detector at 280 °C

Main Results and Discussion

The method achieved baseline separation of all 28 target analytes, including dichloromethane, trichloromethane, tetrachloromethane, various chloro-, bromo-, and iodo-derivatives, within the set temperature program. Retention time reproducibility and peak resolution were adequate for trace-level quantitation. The use of a thick-film column provided enhanced capacity and robustness for complex environmental samples.

Benefits and Practical Applications of the Method

This protocol offers a balanced compromise between run time and separation efficiency, enabling routine monitoring of halogenated pollutants in drinking and wastewater. Its compatibility with standard FID detection simplifies implementation in laboratories focused on quality control and regulatory testing.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

• Integration with mass spectrometric detection for compound confirmation and lower detection limits
• Development of faster temperature programs or shorter columns to reduce analysis time
• Automation and online sampling for real-time water quality surveillance
• Miniaturized or portable GC systems for field deployment

Conclusion

The described GC-FID method using a CP-Sil 8 CB capillary column provides reliable, high-resolution separation of 28 volatile halogenated hydrocarbons in water matrices. Its straightforward setup and robust performance make it suitable for environmental monitoring and compliance applications.

References

• Agilent Technologies, Inc. Application Note A00073, First published prior to May 2010, printed October 31, 2011