Combining elemental analysis and molecular techniques to characterize Ancient Egyptian mummification balms

Microplastics have emerged as one of the most widely discussed environmental contaminants of our time. Regardless of where we live, daily exposure to microplastics has become virtually unavoidable—these tiny plastic particles are present in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the environments we inhabit. As researchers work to better understand the sources, transport pathways, and impacts of microplastics, the demand for reliable microplastic analysis methods continues to grow.While techniques such as FTIR and Raman spectroscopy have become standard tools for identifying microplastics, their utility is limited for smaller particles (i.e. nanoplastics) and in complex matrices. More advanced microplastic analysis methods can provide a deeper understanding of what these particles contain and how they may change over time in the environment.<div><h3>The Limits of Spectroscopic Microplastic Analysis Methods</h3>Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy are widely used microplastic analysis methods because they can identify polymer types by measuring how electromagnetic radiation interacts with a material. These techniques are valuable for determining whether a particle is polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, or another common plastic. For many studies, this information is sufficient to confirm the presence of microplastics, especially in clean samples with sufficient microplastic density.However, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.leco.com/application/environmental/">environmental samples</a> are rarely clean and compositionally simple. Microplastic particles can become weathered and obscured by other materials in the environment, making their accurate identification with spectroscopy difficult. Additionally, if researchers want to understand what additives, degradation products, or pollutants are associated with the plastic, particle identification alone is not enough. Thus, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy methods alone struggle to thoroughly characterize these complex chemical components, particularly in challenging environmental matrices. As questions surrounding microplastic exposure become increasingly important, researchers require analytical techniques capable of examining the chemistry of a sample in greater detail, not simply confirming the presence of the physical particle itself.</div><div><h3>Thermal Desorption and Pyrolysis GCxGC-TOFMS For Deeper Microplastic Analysis</h3>Thermal Desorption (TD) and Pyrolysis (Py) coupled with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.leco.com/core-analysis/gc-and-gc-ms/">GCxGC-TOFMS</a>) offer a powerful alternative for investigating nano- and microplastics in complex samples. These techniques provide complementary information about sample composition.&nbsp;Thermal desorption releases volatile and adsorbed compounds, including environmental contaminants, degradation products, and VOCs associated with microplastic particles. This can reveal important information about chemicals present within or on the plastic.Pyrolysis thermally deconstructs the polymeric material, breaking it into GC-amenable characteristic degradation compounds. These compounds act as chemical markers that can be used to identify the various polymers present. When analyzing complex or heavily weathered microplastics that may be difficult to characterize using traditional spectroscopic techniques, pyrolysis is particularly advantageous.The most significant benefit comes from pairing these techniques with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography. Environmental samples often contain hundreds or even thousands of compounds that coelute in 1D GC-MS, making it difficult or impossible to identify each compound. GCxGC provides significantly greater separation capability, helping analysts distinguish important polymer markers from background matrix components. This enhanced separation improves the mass spectrometer’s ability to identify characteristic polymer pyrolysis products, even in highly complex environmental samples. As a result, researchers can detect and identify challenging microplastics without the extensive purification steps often required by other analytical workflows.Another unique advantage of this approach is that thermal desorption and pyrolysis can be used in series on the same sample. Together, they create a more complete chemical profile of the sample.</div><div><h3>A Powerful Microplastics Analysis Workflow for Deeper Insight into the Effects on Our Environment</h3>FTIR and Raman spectroscopy remain valuable tools for rapid screening and flagging samples containing microplastic particles. However, by combining thermal desorption, pyrolysis, and GCxGC-TOFMS, analysts can obtain a much more comprehensive view of plastics in their samples and their environmental implications. As environmental research continues to advance and concerns surrounding microplastic contamination grow, researchers will increasingly require information that extends beyond answering the question,&nbsp;“What plastic is present?”&nbsp;&nbsp;Ultimately, this deeper level of characterization can provide new insights into the environmental fate of microplastics and help scientists better understand their potential impacts on ecosystems and human exposure.</div>

Surpassing the Limits of Traditional Microplastic Analysis Methods with Thermal Desorption and Pyrolysis GCxGC-TOFMS

News from LabRulezGCMS Library - Week 39, 2026

Article

Application

Environment

Scientific article

Science and research

Poster

Everything from the world of analytical chemistry in one place. We connect people in solving their problems. At Labrulez you will find all the necessary information easily, quickly and clearly. Stop searching and start finding.

LabRulez

In 1936, the Laboratory Equipment Company introduced the first rapid carbon determinator for the American iron and steel industry.  Today, almost 80 years later, LECO is recognized globally as a leader in the development of high-quality analytical instrumentation, mass spectrometers, comprehensive two-dimensional chromatography, metallography & optical equipment as well as consumables.

LECO

Agilent Technologies

Teledyne LABS

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Wasson-ECE Instrumentation

SelectScience

Shimadzu Corporation

Waters Corporation

We probably have all experienced this at some point when performing gas chromatography—our peak shape begins to appear a bit different.
In this webinar, we will discuss some of the most common chromatographic issues that you experience with gas chromatography and take a logical approach to finding the root cause and correcting the problem. Often the best way to approach troubleshooting is to also consider what cannot cause an issue so that precious time is not spent addressing something that is not relevant to the symptoms.
This webinar will arm you with simple tools, and a different way to look at troubleshooting, should a problem arise.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Alex Ucci (Application Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
In his current position at Agilent, Alex provides application assistance and technical support for sample preparation products as well as GC and LC consumables. Before he joined Agilent in 2014, Alex was a graduate student at the Pennsylvania State University researching the morphology and surface properties of aerosol particles using a wide variety of analytical techniques. He has an MS degree in chemistry.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Take the Trouble Out of Troubleshooting: Gas Chromatography

Take the Trouble Out of Troubleshooting: Gas Chromatography

The most common chromatographic issues that you experience with GC and take a logical approach to finding the root cause and correcting the problem.

Are you feeling the impact of Helium Shortage 4.0? We understand the difficulties and concerns you may be facing. From delays to longer turnaround time and rising costs, the GC analysis has indeed taken a direct hit from the fluctuating global helium levels.
To help users combat the issue, Shimadzu offers flexible solutions to ensure smooth operation while saving costs for GC analysis. In this webinar, learn how our GC instruments can effectively reduce helium consumption or switch easily to a different carrier gas for uninterrupted analysis. With Shimadzu, you can confidently navigate through the uncertain times brought on by Helium Shortage 4.0.
Join us and let&#39;s overcome this challenge together.
<h5>Learning Objectives:</h5>
<ul>
<li>How Shimadzu offers countermeasures to address the urgent issue of Helium Gas Supply Shortages</li>
<li>Learn about the capabilities of Shimadzu&#39;s GC instruments in reducing helium consumption for lower cost of analysis</li>
<li>Learn about the flexibility of Shimadzu&#39;s GC instruments to switch carrier gas easily to ensure uninterrupted analysis</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Ryo Takechi (Global GC Product Manager, Shimadzu Corporation)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Ryo has a background in gas chromatography and engineering of analytical instrumentation over 10 years. He earned degrees in chemical engineering from Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Q&amp;A Respondent: Dr. Jackie (Assistant Product Manager (GC &amp; GCMS), Shimadzu (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Dr. Jackie obtained his PhD in Analytical Chemistry from the National University of Singapore. He has garnered over 9 years of research, training, and facilitation experience. Jackie meets scientists from various industries to share technical knowledge and collect feedback, understanding their problems and helping them find well-suited solutions in GC-related analyses.
</blockquote>

Shimadzu: Beat the Helium Shortage, Time to Think Hydrogen!

Beat the Helium Shortage, Time to Think Hydrogen!

Learn how our GC instruments can effectively reduce helium consumption or switch easily to a different carrier gas for uninterrupted analysis.

Digital transformation is a journey driven by the desire to fundamentally improve laboratory working practices by leveraging the latest advances in technology. Whether it be a need to eliminate errors, operate more efficiently, or reach confident results faster, laboratories are focusing more than ever on software.
Designed as a scalable solution for modern, dynamic (often cloud-based) environments, the Thermo Scientific™ Ardia™ Platform brings together chromatography and mass spectrometry, connecting data and instruments, helping scientists get closer to the truth. In this webinar, discover how you can reap the benefits of a connected platform to maximize instrument utilization, streamline lab and data management, and realize true efficiency gains.
Key learning objectives
<ul>
<li>Discover how you can enable wider collaboration within your business</li>
<li>Learn how you can access, monitor and schedule instruments from a single location</li>
<li>Find out how you simplify data storage and expedite review</li>
</ul>
Who should attend?
<ul>
<li>Lab managers</li>
<li>Principle scientists</li>
<li>Technical specialists</li>
<li>MS users</li>
<li>IT managers</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Peter Zipfell (Product Marketing Manager, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
For the past 22 years, Peter Zipfell has worked extensively with chromatography hardware and software transitioning from LC-MS method development through HPLC technical support to chromatography data systems. He joined Thermo Fisher Scientific over 13 years ago and more recently became involved as the lead for Ardia platform product marketing. His focus has always been to support Thermo Fisher customers by delivering software solutions across multiple industries to enable them to improve their current workflows and increase productivity.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Kevin Schauer (Product Manager, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Kevin Schauer is a molecular biologist by training and has been working with chromatography and mass spectrometry instrumentation for over 10 years. He joined Thermo Fisher Scientific five years ago as a field applications scientist where he worked with customers to better leverage the capabilities of the mass spectrometry instrumentation for their life science research. He transitioned to the Ardia platform product management team several years ago where he now works to produce software that allows users to operate more efficiently and get their work done faster.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Georgina Wynne Hughes (Editorial Team, SelectScience)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Georgina studied at Birmingham University where she gained a BSc in Biomedical Science, and an MSc by Research in Cancer and Genomic Sciences, which focused on defective autophagy in rare neurodegenerative diseases. As a member of the Editorial team, she now plays an integral role in shaping the content on SelectScience.
</blockquote>

SelectScience: Take control of your data and instruments: Your journey starts here

Take control of your data and instruments: Your journey starts here

The Thermo Scientific Ardia Platform brings together chromatography and mass spectrometry, connecting data and instruments.

Take control of your data and instruments: Your journey

<h5>Join us Wednesday, June 21, for this information-packed, 30-minute webinar to learn</h5>
<ul>
<li>Fundamentals of Purge and Trap: what it is and how it works</li>
<li>Requirements of a trap and how they adsorb and release volatile compounds</li>
<li>Purge gas selection</li>
<li>The effects of purge parameters on purge efficiency</li>
</ul>
This is a must-attend session if:
<ul>
<li>You work with purge and trap methods in the soil, wastewater and/or drinking water fields</li>
<li>Are a scientist or analyst wishing to learn more about P&amp;T analysis </li>
<li>Are an environmental scientist/technician, analytical chemist or lab manager</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Amy Nutter (the VOC technical product specialist at Teledyne Tekmar)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Amy currently is focused on OEM and customer technical training and application support on the Purge and Trap product line. Previously, Amy worked for the City of Cincinnati in both the drinking water and wastewater laboratories.
</blockquote>
To attend, please select the time on Wednesday, June 21, that works best for you. We look forward to sharing this valuable information.

Teledyne Tekmar: Fundamentals of Purge & Trap

Fundamentals of Purge & Trap

Fundamentals of Purge and Trap. Requirements of a trap. Purge gas selection. The effects of purge parameters on purge efficiency...

Webinars will cover the following Gas Chromatography topics:
<ul>
<li>6/27 - Vaporizers for LPG Samples</li>
<li>7/11 - Dynamic Blending for Linearity and LDL</li>
<li>7/18 - GC Valves: Purposes and Service</li>
<li>7/25 - Calibration Techniques for Accurate Data</li>
<li>8/1 - Sample Capture, Transport, and Introduction</li>
<li>8/8 - GC Detectors I: PDHID and SCD</li>
<li>8/15 - GC Autosamplers for Gas and LPG Samples</li>
<li>8/22 - GC Detectors II: The Strengths of Mass Spectrometry</li>
<li>8/29 - Methanizers for Trace CO &amp; CO2</li>
<li>9/5 - Training Program for GC Operators</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: John Wasson (President, Wasson-ECE Instrumentation, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
John Wasson has over 40 years of experience in Gas Chromatography and Chemical Instrumentation.
</blockquote>

Wasson-ECE Instrumentation: Free GC Webinar Series

Vaporizers for LPG Samples

Verification of Incoming Raw Materials in Paper Bags, Sacks, Tubs, Bottles, and Barrels Without a Clean Room or Opening the Container using SORS Raman Technology.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Luciana Terra (Application Scientist, Molecular Spectroscopy, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Luciana Terra has a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Chemistry from the Federal University of Alfenas (Unifal-MG) as well as a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, on Chemometrics, from the State University of Campinas (Unicamp), where she developed work focused on petroleum quality and derivatives using high-resolution Mass Spectrometry, NIR, and chemometrics methodologies. As part of her Ph.D., she also worked at the University of Calgary in Canada. While completing her Master’s Degree at Unicamp, Luciana developed a new methodology for drug polymorphism detection using NIR imaging and chemometrics tools for quality assurance in the pharmaceutical industry. In 2019, she joined Agilent Technologies as an Application Scientist for Molecular Spectroscopy in UV-Vis, Fluorescence, IR, and Raman techniques, at Agilent Technologies, in Brazil.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Identification of Incoming Raw Materials in Paper Bags, Sacks, Tubs, Bottles, and Barrels

Identification of Incoming Raw Materials in Paper Bags, Sacks, Tubs, Bottles, and Barrels

Verification of Incoming Raw Materials in Paper Bags, Sacks, Tubs, Bottles, and Barrels using SORS Raman Technology.

Identification of Materials in Bags, Sacks, Tubs, Bottles...

This meeting covers the latest trends and techniques to meet current water and environmental testing demands for emerging contaminants and evolving regulations. Our guest speakers from the water industry and environmental research and testing laboratories will share their expertise on their latest work, analytical workflows, and automation.
Join us and discover valuable insights to maximise testing productivity and instrument uptime, simplify workflows and standardise data workup.
<h3>June 27 (Day 1) Emerging contaminants</h3>
This session will explore PFAS, microplastics, untargeted screening, automation and sample preparation.
Attend the whole day or selected presentations only.
<h5>10:00 Online access opens (Streaming begins 09:30 BST/10:30 CEST)</h5>
<h5>10:30 Opening of the event, welcome and introduction</h5>
<ul>
<li>Presenter: Jeff Stubbs (Thermo Fisher Scientific)</li>
</ul>
<h5>10:50 Screening of unknowns using Thermo Scientific Orbitrap MS and Thermo Scientific Compound Discoverer software</h5>
<ul>
<li>Presenter: Janine Elliot (Scottish Environment Protection Agency)</li>
</ul>
<h5>11:20 Biotoxins, seafood safety and mass spectrometry</h5>
<ul>
<li>Presenter: Ben Maskrey (Centre of Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science)</li>
</ul>
<h5>11:50 Determination of microplastics with pyrolysis and GC-MS</h5>
<ul>
<li>Presenter: Dr. Michael Soll (Frontier Lab Europe)</li>
</ul>
<h5>12:20 Break</h5>
<h5>12:40 What combustion ion chromatography sum parameter analysis can do for the analysis of PFAS</h5>
<ul>
<li>Presenter: Dr. Lewis Mark (A1-envirosciences Limited)</li>
</ul>
<h5>13:10 Use of Thermo Scientific Exploris 120 Orbitrap HRAM-LC-MS for the analysis of 47 PFAS compounds in UK waters</h5>
<ul>
<li>Presenter: John Quick (ALS Environmental Ltd.)</li>
</ul>
<h5>13:40 Workshop - new untargeted PFAS analysis workflow capabilities within Compound Discoverer software</h5>
<ul>
<li>Presenter: Frans Schoutsen (Thermo Fisher Scientific)</li>
</ul>
<h5>14:10 Break</h5>
<h5>15:10 Starting your voyage into PFAS? Tools and protocols to succeed</h5>
<ul>
<li>Presenter: Ed George (Thermo Fisher Scientific)</li>
</ul>
<h5>16:10 Workshop - new approaches in performing automation by GC (and LC)</h5>
<ul>
<li>Presenter: Dan Carrier (Thermo Fisher Scientific)</li>
</ul>
<h5>16:30 Closing of the live streaming event</h5>

Thermo Scientific: Water & Environmental Analysis User Meeting - Day 1

Water & Environmental Analysis User Meeting - Day 1

Streaming live from our Demo Centre in Hemel Hempstead | Join the complete event or the presentations of your choice only.

How about a 20 minute coffee break along with a bite of Empower? Here you go!
What you can learn: 
<ul>
<li>What&#39;s the difference between Archive and Backup and why do you need both</li>
<li>The cheapest, the fastest, or the most definitive data management strategy is meaningless if the data is untrustworthy</li>
<li>How including a complementary archive strategy to your existing backup will not only improve efficiency, but can reduce costs and regulatory risk</li>
<li>How both approaches are viable and the business value each one can offer</li>
</ul>
Register and prepare a coffee!
<blockquote>
Presenter: Ralf Schröder (Informatics Product Marketing Europe·Waters GesmbH)
</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: Waters Informatics series #5: Archive vs Backup (Po2)

Waters Informatics series #5: Archive vs Backup (Po2)

What's the difference between Archive and Backup and why do you need both?

There are a variety of sample preparation methods used for the analysis of drugs of abuse in physiological sample matrices such as blood, urine, oral fluid.
These include simple ‘dilute and shoot’, protein removal, phospholipid removal, liquid -liquid and solid phase extraction as well as many others.
With each method there is variability in the number of steps involved, specificity, and the suitability to automation.
Choosing the most suitable sample preparation technique can depend on the type of analytical challenge being addressed, for example certain methods can be used to screen for a large number of compounds and others can be selected to enhance sensitivity for a particular compound or class of compounds. 
In this session, a number of sample preparation methods will be discussed in terms of their strengths and limitations and suitability for particular forensic toxicology applications.
This webinar will prepare the audience for the third session in the Forensic Toxicology Summer Webinar series where the use of a simple generic protocol is used to analyse a wide range of drugs of abuse in whole blood to support driving under the influence of drugs investigations.
Learning objectives:
<ul>
<li>Uncover an overview of selective and generic methods for biological fluids</li>
<li>How these sample preparation techniques can be applied to your most complex toxicological samples</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Jonathan Danaceau, Ph.D. (Principal Scientist, Waters Corporation)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Dr. Jonathan Danaceau, Ph.D. is a Principal Scientist with Waters. He received his B.S. in Biology from Allegheny College and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT). Jon came to Waters in 2011 after spending several years in the forensic toxicology and sports doping fields. Since joining Waters, he has focused on sample preparation and LC/MS/MS solutions for forensic, clinical research, and other bioanalytical applications. He is an expert in sample preparation and bioanalytical method development and has published several papers in these fields. Jon is currently with the Sample Preparation and Automation group within the Consumables and Lab Automation division at Waters.
</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: Sample Preparation Strategies for Forensic Toxicology Testing

Sample Preparation Strategies for Forensic Toxicology Testing

A number of sample prep methods will be discussed in terms of their strengths and limitations and suitability for particular forensic toxicology apps..

Sample Preparation Strategies for Forensic Toxicology

Microplastics are a rapidly emerging concern that produce a variety of challenges proven harmful to environment, human and animal health.
In this webinar, a solution for characterizing and quantifying microplastics using the micro-furnace Pyrolysis-GC/MS will be discussed.
 We will host a Q&amp;A session after the presentation to address any questions or comments.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Alan Owens (GCMS Product Manager, Shimadzu Scientific Instruments)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Alan Owens is the GCMS Product Manager at Shimadzu Scientific Instruments. Alan received his B.S. degree in Biology and Chemistry from Hampden-Sydney college. He then joined Shimadzu as a GCMS Product Specialist at the corporate headquarters in Columbia, MD. Before his time with Shimadzu, he comes from a flavor and fragrance background with expertise in advanced sample introduction techniques such as SPME and Dynamic headspace. He has since expanded into all sample introduction techniques specifically tailored towards Pyrolysis with a heavy influence of plastics and polymers.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Rojin Belganeh (Technical &amp; Marketing Director, Frontier Laboratories-North America)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Rojin Belganeh is the Technical &amp; Marketing Director at Frontier Laboratories-North America. Rojin graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. She started her profession as an analytical chemist in oil &amp; gas industry in 2012. As an analytical chemist, Rojin worked with various analytical instruments, such as Pyrolysis GCMS, TGA, FTIR, and X-Rays for material characterization, polymer identification, and contamination analysis. She also holds an MBA degree concentrating in strategic marketing from the University of Houston-Victoria. As a former user for more than five years, Rojin joined Frontier Laboratories in May of 2017. She is very passionate in creating awareness about Frontier technology and providing technical support to users.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Athena Nguyen (Technical Support Scientist, Frontier Laboratories-North America)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Athena Nguyen is a Technical Support Specialist at Frontier Labs Americas. She graduated from the University of Houston with a bachelor’s degree in science in chemistry in 2014. The first three years after graduating, Athena worked as an analytical chemist. She has experience using multiple analytical instruments, including GC/MS/FID/ECD, with applications in the oil and gas industry. Athena joined Frontier Lab in 2020 and provides technical and product support to Frontier’s users.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Andy Sandy (GCMS Application Scientist, Shimadzu Scientific Instruments)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Andy Sandy is a Gas chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) Applications Scientist at Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, USA. In 2016, he joined the company. At Shimadzu he is a part of a dynamic application group, which is responsible for developing applications that provide solutions to complex analytical issues. Prior to working at Shimadzu, he completed a post-doctoral study at University of Illinois at Chicago, where he focused on developing environmental analytical methods for identifying and measuring emerging contaminant in the environment.
</blockquote>

Shimadzu: A Simple, Effective Solution for Microplastics Characterization and Quantitation using Pyrolysis GC-MS

A Simple, Effective Solution for Microplastics Characterization and Quantitation using Pyrolysis GC-MS

In this webinar, a solution for characterizing and quantifying microplastics using the micro-furnace Pyrolysis-GC/MS will be discussed.