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T Górecki

Publications and source records attributed to T Górecki.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Separation of technical 4-nonylphenols and their biodegradation products by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC) coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS) was applied to improve the separation of 4-nonylphenol isomers and their biodegradation products. The structurally similar nonylphenol isomers were separated by combining a 30 m long semi-polar column and a short polar capillary. Both were coupled via a custom-made liquid nitrogen cryogenic modulator. The advanced GC resolution of coeluting isomers, additionally supported by fast scanning TOF-MS, provided clearer, non-interfered mass spectra of individual isomers. Thus, identification of components is facilitated as shown for isomeric 4-nonylphenols and metabolites of their biodegradation by Clavariopsis aquatica, an aquatic fungus. GC x GC-TOF-MS analysis enabled the separation of about 40 alkylphenol isomers included in technical 4-nonylphenol. During biodegradation the variety of emerging compounds increased with longer reaction time. The comprehensive analysis indicated a broad spectrum of hydroxylated, carboxylated nonylphenolisomers and additionally, chlorinated aromatic compounds produced and released from the fungal culture.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed2005

Identification of isomeric 4-nonylphenol structures by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry combined with cluster analysis.

The endocrine-disrupting effect of 4-nonylphenols (NP) formed from industrial detergents such as nonylphenol polyethoxylates is well known today. The technical mixture contains a great variety of 4-iso-nonylphenol isomers having different endocrine-disrupting activities. Currently used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) protocols allow the detection of about 20 peaks, mostly co-eluting isomers. In the present study, Product Ion mass spectrometry obtained by ion trap technology enhanced the selectivity in NP detection resulting in improved gas chromatographic resolution as well as structure assignment of the isomers. The structure proposals of 4-nonylphenol isomers given were derived from GC-MS-MS data processed by multivariate statistics. The cluster analysis allowed the classification of NP due to common structural features that were reflected in the mass spectra. The fragmentation pathways of three reference NP isomers, 4-(1-ethyl-1,4-dimethylpentyl)phenol (NP1), 4-(1,1,5-trimethylhexyl)phenol (NP2) and 4-(1-ethyl-1,3-dimethylpentyl)phenol (NP3), were investigated in more detail. They served as model compounds to aid the interpretation of spectra from unknown NP isomers. Structures of two groups of isomers, characterized by alpha-ethyl as well as alpha-propyl substituents, could be proposed.

Cluster Analysis↗
PubMed2002

Quality of roof runoff waters from an urban region (Gdańsk, Poland).

The paper presents the results of testing of roof runoff waters from buildings in the city of Gdańsk (Poland), carried out as a part of a broader research project aimed at the determination of pollutant levels in precipitation. The analytes determined included volatile organohalogen compounds, petroleum hydrocarbons, Na+, K+, NH4+, Mg2+, Ca2+, F-, Cl-, NO2-, NO3-, PO4(3-), SO4(2-) ions, as well as organonitrogen, organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides. In addition, the toxicity and pH of the samples were examined. The samples were collected over a period of six months, during or immediately following precipitation events. More than half of the samples (25) were found to be toxic, with inhibition exceeding 20%. The toxicity was weakly correlated to the levels of organonitrogen and organophosphorus pesticides in runoff waters. It was established that at least in some cases the roofing material affected the levels of the pollutants found in the samples.

Cities↗
PubMed2001

In-column pyrolysis: a new approach to an old problem.

High-molecular-weight fragments produced during pyrolysis of both natural and synthetic materials often carry the most significant structural information. Their diagnostic value is usually limited when using commercial pyrolysis devices because of analyte discrimination on transfer from the pyrolysis unit to the GC column. A device enabling pyrolysis in line with GC column was developed to overcome this problem. Pyrolysis is carried out in a segment of deactivated stainless steel tubing. One end of the tubing is connected through a restrictor to a standard GC injector, and the other end is connected to a precolumn followed by a GC column. Pyrolysis is carried out by passing a pulse of electric current from a capacitive discharge power supply through the tubing. Nondiscriminated alkane pattern up to C-58 (limited by the temperature limit of the GC stationary phase) was observed for the pyrolysis of polyethylene. A comparison of conventional pyrolysis with in-column pyrolysis indicates that the range of semivolatile pyrolysis products that can be detected in the pyrograms extends much further toward higher-boiling compounds for the technique proposed. The new approach has also proved very useful in methodical variations of pyrolysis, including thermochemolysis using tetramethylammonium hydroxide.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Pesticides in precipitation in the Gdańsk region (Poland).

Selected organonitrogen, organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides have been determined in precipitation samples collected at 10 sites in the Gdańsk region (northern Poland) over a period of one year (1998). Compounds which were detected most often included simazine (0.11-5.80 ng/l), fenitrothion (0.1-2.10 ng/l), chlorfenvinfos (0.1-1.30 ng/l), gamma-HCH (0.012-5.06 ng/l), heptachlor epoxide (0.05-3.28 ng/l) and aldrin (0.02-3.28 ng/l). The pesticide concentrations in precipitation samples revealed seasonal fluctuations, with higher concentrations observed during the application periods (June and July). The concentrations observed were also affected by the inflow of polluted air masses from the southwest. The total pesticide concentration in the precipitation samples was strongly related to the abundance of green areas in the vicinity of the sampling sites. A weak correlation was also found between the total concentration of organonitrogen and organophosphorus pesticides, and the total concentration of organochlorine pesticides in the samples collected.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2001

Levels of lead in atmospheric deposition in a large urban agglomeration in Poland.

Lead levels in wet and dry deposition were determined within this project. A network of 10 sampling stations was established. The stations were located in areas characterized by heavy traffic volumes, but away from industrial and/or municipal pollution sources. It was assumed, therefore, that lead in the samples collected was coming primarily from automobile emissions. Measurements were carried out over a period of one year. Both rain and snow samples were collected. Lead concentrations in the samples ranged from 0.6 to 141 microg dm(-3). They depended on street topography, traffic volume, average speed of the vehicles, frequency of traffic congestion and atmospheric conditions. The highest lead levels in deposition were observed during the cold season.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2000

Development of membrane extraction with a sorbent interface-micro gas chromatography system for field analysis.

The commercially available portable gas chromatographs have a rather limited scope of applications, typically allowing analysis of gaseous samples only, and having relatively poor sensitivity. Combination of those instruments with modern sampling/sample preparation techniques can remedy these problems. A Chrompack micro-GC system equipped with a thermal conductivity detector has been coupled to membrane extraction with a sorbent interface (MESI). The sorbent trap has replaced the GC injector. The design of the trap was also modified in order to enhance the preconcentration of analytes. The use of a thin flat sheet membrane reduces the response time, and decreases the memory effect of the system. Rapid separation times were achieved, and the sensitivity was significantly improved. MESI enables semi-continuous monitoring of both gaseous and aqueous samples, owing to the selectivity of the membrane material. The system does not use moving parts, therefore being reliable. The sensitivity of the micro-GC system was increased by a factor of more than 100 by the addition of the MESI system, even with a preconcentration time as short as 1 min. Chloroform, having a concentration lower than 1 ppb, was detected in tap water. A cup system was used to allow headspace sampling of volatile organic compounds from aqueous matrices, keeping the membrane away from interfering species that could be present in water, and improving the mass transfer. A linear calibration line was obtained, and the estimated limit of detection was 60 ppt. This represents a great improvement for the sensitivity of the micro-GC system.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed1999

Determination of lead in blood and urine by SPME/GC.

Lead is the most frequently quantitated toxic metal in biological matrixes. In this paper, a method is described for lead determination in whole blood and urine using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) gas chromatography. Lead ion is first derivatized with sodium tetraethylborate to form tetraethyllead, which is then extracted from the headspace over the sample by SPME. The analytical procedure was optimized for coating selection, pH, extraction time, and effect of salt. The relative standard deviation was less then 10% for both urine and blood samples. The limit of detection was 3 and 4 ppb; the limit of quantification is 5 and 10 ppb for urine and blood samples, respectively. Good linearity was found for both urine and blood samples when PDMS coating was used. The standard addition method was used for quantitation. Certified urine and blood samples were analyzed, and good accuracy was obtained.

Borates↗
PubMed1999

Sample preparation for GC analysis of selected pesticides in surface water.

A new isolation procedure for the determination of nitrogen/phosphorous containing pesticides and organochlorine pesticides in water was tested, and statistical evaluation of the recoveries was performed. The procedure, designed specifically for the analysis of semi-volatile compounds in water containing Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), utilizes a specially designed filtration vessel coupled directly to an SPE cartridge. The studies were based on surface water samples (from the Vistula River) spiked with pesticides. SPM separation and analyte isolation/concentration were carried out in a special filtration vessel. Pesticides were sorbed both on the SPE cartridge and on the suspended matter. The cartridge and the filter with the suspended matter were extracted separately with a solvent, which enabled the determination of analyte distribution between the two. For organochlorine pesticides, between 3 and 60% of the initial amount was found on the filter, while the recoveries in the filtrate ranged from 30 to 98%. Total recoveries of organochlorine pesticides from surface water samples spiked with pesticides using the method described were high, ranging from 90 to 101%. The amounts of nitrogen/phosphorus containing pesticides recovered from the filter were lower than 2%, while those from the filtrate ranged from 69 to 92%. Total recoveries of nitrogen/phosphorus containing pesticides from surface water samples were high, ranging from 71 to 92%.

Adsorption↗
PubMed1999

Determination of volatile organohalogen compounds in human urine.

A variant of thin layer headspace (TLHS) analysis with autogenous generation of the liquid sorbent was applied for the determination of volatile organohalogen compounds in urine. The analytes were isolated from the matrix at an elevated temperature in a TLHS column. They were then transported by a stream of purified air to a second TLHS column kept at sub-ambient temperature. Water vapor contained in the air condensed in the second column together with the analytes. The effluent from the second column was analyzed by direct aqueous injection gas chromatography with electron capture detection (DAI-GC-ECD). It has been established that the complex urine matrix did not affect the results at a 95% confidence level. Volatile organohalogen compounds were detected in urine of employees of a chemical laboratory where halogenated solvents were used. The urine of people who were not exposed contained insignificant or undetectable levels of these compounds. Urine levels of target analytes were the higher, the longer a person was exposed to them. The results obtained confirm that the urinary system participates in excretion of volatile organohalogen compounds.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1997

Effect of sample volume on quantitative analysis by solid-phase microextraction. Part 1. Theoretical considerations.

This paper discusses the effect of sample volume on the amount of analyte extracted from a sample by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) in two-phase (sample-fiber coating) and three-phase (sample-headspace-fiber coating) systems. Up-to-date knowledge is summarized, and new concepts are introduced. The effect of sample volume on quantification and precision of results can be neglected only in rare cases. The minimum sample volume which ensures that the amount extracted, n, is lower than 1% of the initial amount of the analyte present in the sample, as well as the volume for which exactly half of the initial amount of the analyte is extracted, have been calculated for both two- and three-phase systems. It is critical that the volumes of samples and standards are the same during analysis by SPME. Extraction kinetics in headspace analysis is dependent on the headspace capacity. If it is sufficiently large, the analyte is extracted almost exclusively from the gaseous phase, and equilibration can be very fast. On the other hand, this causes a significant loss of sensitivity. The effect of sample volume on the determination of the value of the partition coefficient, K, is also discussed. If the change in concentration of the analyte in the sample at equilibrium is not taken into account, erroneous results are obtained. Even when a proper procedure is used, there are practical limitations to the accuracy of the K value determination. Large sample volumes should always be used for K value determination, as they enable broader ranges of K values to be covered with good accuracy.

Chemical Phenomena↗