Instruments
Our research strongly depends on mass-spectrometry techniques. The workhorses of our research directions are gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for volatile and semi-volatile contaminants and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) for hydrophilic contaminants.
GC-MS (in the process of purchase)
LC-MS is provided by Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Core facility.
Photo source: https://chemistry.fau.edu
For the photodegradation experiment, we use the set of light in UVA- and visible spectral zone.
We also have a range of instrumentation for extracting organic contaminants from the water samples, cleaning up the extracts, and preparing them for mass-spectrometry analysis. This includes solid-phase extraction, liquid-liquid extraction, and nitrogen evaporation equipment.
Other instrumentation used in our research are also available through core facilities and include UV/VIS, fluorescence spectrometer, FTIR, and NMR instruments. Please see the Department of Chemistry core facility for a more extensive list of equipment available to our group.
In collaboration with Auburn University, we use GC-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) technique for measuring carbon and hydrogen isotopes of the transformation mechanisms of organic contaminants.
In collaboration with the National High Field Magnetic Lab, we also use Fourie Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) for the characterization of the DOM structures.