ResearchAnalytical Toxicology and Environmental Chemistry

Analytical Toxicology and Environmental Chemistry focuses on the analytical characterization of exposure to environmental contaminants, and the determination and quantitation of stress and reproductive hormones in biological matrices.  Emphasis is on the focus on unusual matrices and minimizing mass of material required for analyses, as well as development  and effect of the biomarkers of contaminant exposure. Our research also encompasses environmental projects aimed at studying the mechanisms of enzyme inhibition by organophosphate compounds. Analytical capabilities encompass the following:

• The ability to determine organic volatile species that require highly specific detection,
• Qualitative confirmation of these volatile analytes using gas chromatography equipped with mass spectrometric detectors,
• Volatile/semi-volatile analysis of aqueous samples,
• Non-volatile and ion analysis in aqueous samples
• Determination of total and inorganic mercury in aqueous and biological samples
• The ability to determine heavy metals in aqueous samples.
• Exploring conformational changes of inhibited enzymes using Raman spectroscopy.

Instruments currently in place in the analytical/environmental laboratories include Agilent quaternary pump Liquid Chromatographs with Variable Wavelength Absorbance and Fluorescence Detectors; Agilent 6890 Gas Chromatographs equipped with dual ECD, FPD/ECD, ECD/FID Detectors; Agilent 6890/5973 GC/MSDs; Thermo Solar Atomic Absorption Spectrometer; Thermo Scientific LC-MSs, DXR3 Raman Microscope.