Question 2

a) You work for an environmental laboratory conducting screening of wastewater for potential

contaminants. The laboratory currently possesses a reverse-phase liquid chromatograph but is

considering purchase of an ion chromatograph.

Provide an argument for the laboratory's procurement officer that purchasing an ion

chromatograph would extend the laboratory's analytical capabilities. Your answer should make

use of appropriate annotated diagrams.

b) You are an analytical chemist in a forensic laboratory. You have been tasked with analysing fire

debris for volatile hydrocarbons that might be indicative of a chemical accelerant.

i. Which mode of chromatography would you recommend for this purpose, and why?

Justify your answer.

ii. The evidence submitted is a swatch of carpet in a sealed container. How would you

sample potential volatile hydrocarbons from this material? Justify your approach.

c) Using media or internet sources, identify and describe a "real-world" problem in which gas

chromatography, liquid chromatography, or ion chromatography was used to achieve separation

of analytes in a mixture.