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Personal Information on this Website/Creator:

Name: Dr. William C. Brumley (Bill)
Occupation: Research Chemist with U.S. EPA
Research Interests: Trace organic analysis, instrumental analysis (GC/MS, LC/MS, CE/LIF, multidimensional separations (HPLC and CE), sample handling (SPE), extraction/cleanup (ASE, HPGPC)
Hobbies: Siamese cats, computer programming, Bible study
Site maintenance: Site will be updated monthly with new quotes, verse study, list study, and doctrine.
Bugs will be addressed as I am able since I am still learning this stuff. Site is enhanced for MSIE via marquees and java applets. If you do not agree with my theology or think you find me in error, let us be kind to each other because we may end up disagreeing but do not have to be disagreeable.

Chemistry Matters

The following instrumentation is available for collaboration in environmental analysis: H-P 1090 HPLCs with DAD and FLD; H-P GC/MSD 6890 with CI; Beckman HPLC with DAD; Beckman P/ACE 2000 and 5000 with LIF; Coherent Innova 70 Ar/Kr ion and FReD 300 Ar ion lasers for CE/LIF; Spex Fluorolog 2; Spectrum One CCD with controller and software (SpectraMax) from Instruments, SA; Finnigan-MAT 900S-Trap; H-P 5890 GC/ECD; H-P 5890 GC/NPD; HeCd lasers at 325 nm and 354 nm; HeNe lasers at 595 nm and 633 nm; VG 70SE GC/MS; Dionix ASE 200; H-P SFE; Suprex SFE; Waters automated HPGPC; Camag TLC spotter and densitometer; all instruments with supporting data systems.

Separations:
HPLC: Development of liquid separations for various analytes using porous graphitic carbon columns in both the reverse phase mode and normal phase mode. Efforts to take advantage of this unique phase which appears to be well matched to environmental analysis. Anticipatory and relevant to existing problems. Implementation of two-dimensional separations based on fractionation from C18 RPHPLC fed to porous graphitic carbon columns. Solves two problems: dilution of sample and speed required for second dimension. Addresses the need for increased peak capacity in analysis of complex matrices. Multidimensional separations provides a framework for any pesticide residue problem in environmental analysis; currently looking at HPGPC, RPHPLC, CZE, and porous graphitic carbon. Systematizes the analytical problem into one, two, or three dimensional separations depending on detector, residue level, and matrix interferences.
PCBs: Fractionation of most toxic PCB isomers with HPLC using porous graphitic carbon column. Will be applied to DISPro fish analyses and other EDC and DISPro samples. PCBs are globally dispersed and will be detected at the worldwide background level.
Electrophoresis: Establishing gel electrophoresis capability for protein adducts detection as biomarkers of exposure for humans and animals; fundamental applied effort; expect that CZE coupled with laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) will provide a screening tool after two-dimensional gel electrophoresis leading to HRMS identification. A second application of gel electrophoresis is in producing two-dimensional protein maps as indicators of normal and abnormal states of key indicator plants within an ecosystem. The aim is to test the hypothesis that disease states and stress states produce indicator proteins that could be early warnings of problems.

Detection:
Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and detection limits: Liquid separations and low detection limits using LIF address future anticipated problems requiring LC separations and extremely low detection limits; tie in to new high-resolution mass spectrometer and LC/MS and CE/MS techniques. Positions EPA to handle nonvolatile compounds introduced by commerce into the environment.
LIF detection using the frequency-doubled laser is being expanded in applications beyond PNAs to anionic and cationic compounds in extracts of contaminated soils. Phenols are currently under study with an emphasis on EDC candidates. LIF provides fundamental insight into exposure processes and a sensitive screening tool for mass spectral confirmation. We are establishing ourselves as a leading laboratory in this field with frequency-doubled laser, multiwavelength laser, HeCd near UV lasers, and visible region lasers with a strong tie in to the new HRMS for unknowns and characterizing biomarkers.
Developing a CE/LIF format using visible region for immunoassay using herbicides as an example target; this allows for LIF detection limits without derivatization at ppb and sub-ppb levels.
Carrying out the experiments for doing full emission spectra recording on the fly for CZE/LIF with better qualitative identification and quantitation based on the full spectrum.Sample preparation:
Solvent extraction research: Initiating fish extractions for determining background levels and reagent blanks for future sample work. Most work is planned for accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) technique with some portions undergoing SFE and Soxhlet reference extractions.Environmental Monitoring:
DISPro Screening: Developing a RT data base for common target compounds for DISPro and EDCs using GC/ECD and GC/NPD to supplement screening and GC/MS analyses.
Pesticides: Developing a microbore HPLC multi residue screening procedure for 50 to 100 pesticides likely to be encountered from high density agricultural activity such as in California San Joaquin Valley. HRMS: New HRMS involving CE/MS and LC/MS projects especially in the context of multiresidue analysis.Why it is important Methods development (and the overall role of analytical chemistry) is important since it undergirds the regulatory aspects, the cleanup, and the understanding of the environment. Methods are found explicitly in the numbered U.S. EPA Methods that are known worldwide for reliable environmental analysis. Continuous improvements to methods are recognized in the ORD Strategic Plan for improving the reliability of environmental measurements, for lowering costs of analyses, and for reducing worker exposure while simultaneously reducing waste production from the analytical operations. New substances continuously enter the environment as they become new members of the chemicals of commerce. Many of these are specifically earmarked for environmental applications or become of environmental interest due to their applications in related fields of medicine, food, water treatments, crop control, and industrial use. Methods are subject to continuous improvements in techniques, technology, and invention of new tools as is any field of science and technology. Our role in ORD is both short range and long range. Short range goals include improvements to existing methods that respond to research needs that we as experts perceive, needs created by new program initiatives such as EDCs and DISPro, needs stated by program offices, and needs prioritized by regional scientists. Longer range goals include our role of capturing the best of the new developments and new tools emerging in diverse areas of chemistry, biochemistry, physics, and biology. It is recognized that biochemistry and the biomedical fields have currently stimulated much growth in instrumental capabilities to enable the solution of difficult analytical problems. This growth has in turn stimulated our own efforts to develop liquid separations and their interfacing to mass spectrometry as well as our efforts to study the fundamental biochemical indicators of exposure including biological specimens and proteins.


Completed Journal Papers (1998):
67. W. C. Brumley, E. Latorre, V. Kelliher, A. Marcus, and D. Knowles, "Determination of Chlordane in Soil by LC/GC/ECD and GC/EC NIMS with Comparison of ASE, SFE, and Soxhlet Extraction," J. Liq. Chromatogr., 21, 1199-1216 (1998).
68. P. L. Ferguson, A. H. Grange, W. C. Brumley, J. L. Donnelly, and J. W. Farley, "Capillary Electrophoresis/Laser-Induced Fluorescence Detection of Fluorescein as a Groundwater Migration Tracer," Electrophoresis, 19, 2252-2256 (1998).
69. T. W. Moy, P. L. Ferguson, A. H. Grange, W. H. Matchett, V. A. Kelliher, W. C. Brumley, J. Glassman, and J. W. Farley, "Development of Separation Systems for Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbon Environmental Contaminants Using Micellar Electrokinetic Chromatography with Molecular Micelles and Free Zone Electrophoresis, " Electrophoresis, 19, 2090-2094 (1998).
70. W. C. Brumley and C. Gerlach, "Determination of Groundwater Migration Using Capillary Electrophoresis/Laser-induced Fluorescence Detection," Am. Lab., accepted.
Papers at Meetings (1998):
68. W. C. Brumley, P. L. Ferguson, A. H. Grange, J. R. Donnelly, and J. W. Farley,"Applications of Capillary Electrophoresis/Laser-Induced Fluorescence Detection to Ground Water Migration Studies," paper presented at the U.S. EPA Technical Support Project Semi-Annual Meeting, Feb 10-13, 1998, Salt Lake City, UT.
69. W. C. Brumley, S. M. Pyle , V. K. Kelliher , T. W. Moy, and J. R. Donnelly, "Source Apportionment of PNA Contamination in Wood Preservative Operations from Petroleum-based Carrier Fuels and Coal-derived Materials (Creosote)," paper presented at the U.S. EPA Technical Support Project Semi-Annual Meeting, Feb 10-13, 1998, Salt Lake City, UT.
70. J. Glassman, J. W. Farley, T. W. Moy, P. L. Ferguson, A. H. Grange, W. H. Matchett, V. A. Kelliher, and W. C. Brumley, "Development of Separation Systems for Hydrophobic Environmental Contaminants Using Micellar Electrokinetic Chromatography with Molecular Micelles and Free Zone Electrophoresis, " paper presented at EnviroAnalysis98, Ottawa, ON, Canada, May 11-14, 1998.
71. W. C. Brumley, A. H. Grange, J. Glassman, J. W. Farley, "Environmental screening Based on CZE/LIF Detection with GC/MS and CE/MS Identifications," paper presented at the 46th meeting of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry and Allied Techniques, May 31- June 4, 1998, Orlando, FL.
72. A.H. Grange, W.C. Brumley, and J.W. Farley, "Identification of Compounds in Hazardous Wastes," paper presented at EnviroAnalysis98, Ottawa, CA, May 11-14, 1998.
73. Andrew H. Grange, Patrick L. Ferguson, William C. Brumley, Joseph R. Donnelly, and John W. Farley, "Comparison of Spectrofluorimetry and Capillary Electrophoresis/Lasier-Induced Fluorescence for Detection of Fluorescent Dyes in Ground Water,"
paper presented at EnviroAnalysis98, Ottawa, CA, May 11-14, 1998.
74. J. W. Farley, J. Glassman, W. C. Brumley, and A. H. Grange, Capillary Electrophoresis/Laser-Induced Fluorescence for Detection of Fluorescent Dyes in Ground Water," paper presented at the th Rocky Mountain Analytical Conference, July 27-30, 1998, Denver, CO.
75. J. W. Farley, J. Glassman, W. C. Brumley, and A. H. Grange, "Environmental screening Based on CZE/LIF Detection with GC/MS and CE/MS Identifications," paper presented at the SPIE, Boston, MA.







Home of CatSoft, software tools for scientists without the exhorbitant price (under $50). A number of products are planned for offering including tools for the fields of chemical analysis, quantitation, mass spectrometry, and chromatography. Compare this with the price of Shareware (most over $250), professional packages ($700 or above), or manufacturers' software ($10,000).






Last updated: 11/29/2003