Analytical chemistry: feeding the environmental revolution?

Jeannette G. Grasselli

doi:10.1117/12.140272

9 March 1993 Analytical chemistry: feeding the environmental revolution?

Jeannette G. Grasselli

Proceedings Volume 1716, International Conference on Monitoring of Toxic Chemicals and Biomarkers; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.140272
Event: Environmental Sensing '92, 1992, Berlin, Germany

Abstract

There can be no question in anyone's mind that our ability to analyze the structure and composition of materials in all media has grown in amazingly exponential ways in the last several decades. Our detection limits have gone from micrograms to the subpicogram level. A millimeter-sized sample presented a challenge in 1950; but today we look at submicron units, in fact, at single atoms resolved in analytical electron microscopes in an almost routine manner. Analysis time has changed from hours or sometimes even days for a complete qualitative and quantitative analysis on a sample to modern capabilities which include real-time spectroscopy on in situ experiments which give us data on molecular dynamics in the femtosecond time regime. Trace analysis, the detection and determination of impossibly tiny quantities of elements and molecules in increasingly complex matrices, is readily accomplished today. These are exactly the types of samples usually involved in environmental analysis. Yet, there is a tendency among some groups to view analytical advances as a negative factor in environmental studies because the ability to measure extremely small quantities can focus regulators on placing restrictions on materials not previously detectable. If so, that is a rare instance where increased knowledge can be considered a setback.

Citation Download Citation

Jeannette G. Grasselli "Analytical chemistry: feeding the environmental revolution?", Proc. SPIE 1716, International Conference on Monitoring of Toxic Chemicals and Biomarkers, (9 March 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.140272

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
12 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Chemical analysis

Statistical analysis

Chemistry

Analytical research

Lead

Environmental sensing

Cancer

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years