Sample interview questions: How do you approach the analysis of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in air and water samples?
Sample answer:
Air Samples:
- Sampling: Use high-volume air samplers with appropriate filters (e.g., glass fiber, polyurethane foam) to capture airborne POPs.
- Extraction: Soxhlet extraction with organic solvents (e.g., methylene chloride, hexane) to extract POPs from filters.
- Cleanup: Use silica gel, alumina, or charcoal columns to remove interfering compounds and purify extracts.
- Analysis: Analyze extracts using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS).
Water Samples:
- Sampling: Collect water samples using grab samplers or automated samplers.
- Extraction: Liquid-liquid extraction using organic solvents (e.g., hexane, dichloromethane).
- Cleanup: Use solid-phase extraction (SPE) columns or solvent exchange to remove interfering compounds.
- Analysis: Analyze extracts using GC-MS or LC-MS.
Additional Considerations:
- Method Validation: Validate analytical methods to ensure accuracy, precision, and detection limits meet regulatory requirements.
- Quality Control: Implement quality control meas… Read full answer
Source: https://hireabo.com/job/5_2_11/Environmental%20Chemist