Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography for the analysis of organohalogenated micro-contaminants

We explain the principles of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC), and discuss key instrumental aspects – with emphasis on column combinations and mass spectrometric detection. As the main item of interest, we review the potential of GC × GC for the analysis of organohalogenated micro-contaminants, and highlight its superiority over conventional 1D-GC. We present results for 12 compound classes, including polychlorinated biphenyls, dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans, and n-alkanes, toxaphene and polybrominated diphenyl ethers. We draw attention to target analysis as well as within-class and between-class separations.