Gas Chromatograph with Electron capture detector (GC-ECD)

With ECD, a beta emitter, radioactive 63Ni is used to ionize the carrier gas. Fast beta particles generated by the radioactive source collide with the molecules of the carrier or make-up gas producing free slow-moving electrons, which generate a steady current. If the GC effluent contains organic molecules with electronegative functional groups, such as halogens, electrons will be captured, and the current will be reduced. The reduction in electron flow is proportional to the quantity of electrophile sample components. Analysis for Organochlorine pesticides, PCBs in extracts from several matrices including water, soil/sediment, and biota can br done.