What would be some uses of GC/GCMS in the lab or the field?

Hi greatone100,

Gas Chromatography is the separation of a mixture of compounds into
separate components in order to identify and measure them.

The Mass Spectroscopy provides the atomic and molecular composition of
a sample. GC/MS combines the separation power of GC with the
identification capabilities of MS.

GENERAL
**Applications of gas chromatography:
    1. Headspace gas chromatography analysis
    2. Food analysis
    3. Drug screening
    4. Pyrolysis gas chromatography
    5. Metal chelates and inorganic materials
    6. Dual detector applications
    7. Dual column applications
    8. Environmental analysis
    9. Biotechnology Applications
    10. Forensic analysis
http://gc.discussing.info/gs/o_applications/application2.html

**Applications of Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy:
    1. Survey competitor products
    2. Compare polymer degradation profile
    3. Pyrolysis for polymer identification
    4. Identify/quantify processing off-gases
    5. Identify/quantify impurities in raw materials
    6. Identify/quantify environmental contaminants
    7. Identify/quantify residual monomers/solvents
http://www.polymerdiagnostics.com/capabilities/analytical.asp?sec=9


SOME SPECIFIC EXAMPLES:

TOXICOLOGY: 
Cannabis Research: 
"...were analyzed for 11-nor-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic
acid (THC-COOH) which is a major metabolite for THC. The analysis was
done by using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry."
http://www.ukcia.org/research/medline/4.htm

**Determination of THC concentration in cannabis seeds:
http://www.jatox.com/abstracts/2000/nov-dec/715-ross.htm

EARTH SCIENCE
**Use of a gas chromatograph to determine the constituents of the
upper atmosphere:
http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2003/2001JD000891.shtml

FOOD SCIENCE
**Comparison of flavour chemicals in roasted vs. natural hazelnuts:
http://www.hazelnutcouncil.org/commercial/flavor-monograph.html

MEDICAL
**Estimation of methylmalonic acid in plasma:
http://www.abdn.ac.uk/medicine_therapeutics/gcms2.shtml

FORENSIC
**Here is a forensic lab that uses both GC and GCMS to screen and
confirm drug presence (e.g. LSD, carisoprodol) in blood or urine.
http://www.iupui.edu/~iutox/isdt/forensic_lab.htm

ENVIRONMENTAL
**Insecticide Poisoning:
http://path.upmc.edu/cases/case83/gas.html

FIELD WORK / ENVIRONMENTAL:
**An example of a portable gas chromatograph used for environmental
analysis.
http://www.pine-environmental.com/rental_int2.php?section_id=2&article_id=26


I hope this helps. If you have any questions, please post a
clarification request before rating my answer.

Thank you,
hummer

Search Strategy, Terms Used:
"Gas Chromatography" 
"Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy"

Thank you, greatone100. 

Sincerely, hummer