FRTR Field Sampling and Analysis Technologies Reference Guide

6 SAMPLE ANALYSIS TOOLS for VOCs, SVOCS, and PESTICIDES

6.2 EX-SITU ANALYSIS

6.2.10 Ion Trap MS

Use:

Determines the masses of atoms or molecules found in a solid, liquid, or gas, particularly VOCs.

Description:

Ion trap mass spectrometer uses three electrodes to trap ions in a small volume. The mass analyzer consists of a ring electrode separating two hemispherical electrodes. A mass spectrum is obtained by changing the electrode voltages to eject the ions from the trap. The advantages of the ion trap mass spectrometer include compact size and the ability to trap and accumulate ions to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of a measurement.

Analytes:

1. Non-Halogenated VOCs	2. Non-Halogenated SVOCs	3. Halogenated VOCs
4. Halogenated SVOCs	5. PAHs	6. Pesticides/Herbicides

Media:

Soil/Sediment	Water	Gas/Air
Requires extraction to liquid or gas phase	Requires extraction to liquid or gas phase	BETTER

Selectivity:	Technique measures the specific contaminant directly.
Susceptibility to Interference:	Medium.
Detection Limits :	100-100 ppb (soil); 1-50 ppb (water).
Turnaround Time per Sample:	Minutes.

Applicable To:

Screen/Identify	Characterize Concentration/Extent	Cleanup Performance	Long-Term Monitoring
BETTER	BETTER	BETTER	BETTER

Quantitative Data Capability:	Produces quantitative data.
Technology Status:	Commercially available technology with moderate field experience..
Certification/Verification:	Technology has not participated in CalEPA certification and/or CSCT verification program.
Relative Cost per Analysis:	Most expensive.

Limitations:

Bulky requiring high vacuum pumps and a large amount of power.
Due to the complexity of the instrumentation, setup time can be long.
Calibration procedures are more time consuming than for GC.
Sensitivity and resolution for field instruments is not as good as that achieved by laboratory instruments.
May not detect certain semi-volatile compounds such as benzopyrenes.
Poor resolution in complex sample mixture.
High interference when analyzing sludges.

ASTM Standards/EPA Methods:

No applicable ASTM standards or EPA methods are cited for this technology.

Sample Access/Collection Matrix

Sample Analysis Matrix

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