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Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) is an instrumental technique, comprising a gas chromatograph (GC) coupled to a mass spectrometer (MS), by which complex mixtures of chemicals may be separated, identified and quantified. This makes it ideal for the analysis of the hundreds of relatively low molecular weight compounds found in environmental materials.

cogsHow does it work?


In order for a compound to be analysed by GC-MS it must be sufficiently volatile and thermally stable.

In addition, functionalised compounds may require chemical modification (derivatization), prior to analysis, to eliminate undesirable adsorption effects that would otherwise affect the quality of the data obtained. Samples are usually analyzed as organic solutions consequently materials of interest (e.g. soils, sediments, tissues etc.) need to be solvent extracted and the extract subjected to various 'wet chemical' techniques before GC-MS analysis is possible.

Applications:

Metabolomics, environmental studies, trace analysis, atmosphere monitoring

Sample Handling Requirements:

Nanograms of material.

Complementary Techniques:

LC-MS.

Warwick Capability:

Varian 4000.

Contact:

Claire Gerard: c dot gerard at warwick dot ac dot uk / 07385 145064

GC-MS equipmentGC-MS equipment ii

Typical results format, and sample:

GC-Ms Mass Spectrum

Status
Availability
green_tick.gif Warwick collect/analyse data
green_tick.gif Warwick collect data
 green_tick.gif Available to user with expertise/ contribution
 
Spare capacity for collaborative research
 

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