Nontarget Compound Analysis of Hazardous Waste and Environmental Extracts by Combined FSCC/GC/FT-IR and FSCC/GC/MS

Complex environmental wastes have been analyzed by fused silica capillary column gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (FSCC/GC/MS) and fused silica capillary column gas chromatography/Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FSCC/GC/FT-IR). The two techniques used in conjunction are capable of determining or confirming the compound class of at least two thirds of all extract analytes. Detailed analytical results are presented that demonstrate that the relative strengths and shortcomings of each method are different and thus using both in conjunction leads to the identification of a far greater number of analytes than the use of either one alone. It is postulated that the present cost of using both techniques in conjunction can be substantially lowered by the direct interfacing of both spectrometers and the development of suitable computer software.