Use of Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry in Interdisciplinary Technical Education

This project introduces students from two technician education programs to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) through an interdisciplinary environmental monitoring project. In a collaborative study of the Henrys Fork of the Snake River, Chemical Laboratory Technician and Hazardous Materials Technician students analyzes water samples for various organic and inorganic constituents using GC/MS, Ion Chromatography (IC), wet chemistry techniques, and field testing equipment. The project requires groups of students to create objectives, identify and implement procedures, follow protocols standard to industry and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and report analyses to certain state and conservation agencies. The GC/MS is used to determine the presence of specific pesticides and volatile organic compounds in the river due to heavy agriculture in the river's drainage. Availability of a GC/MS allows authentic environmental monitoring following EPA guidelines, acquaints students with a critical analytical tool routinely used in industry, introduces computer operated instrumentation, and provides experience with data base searching and quantitative software. The collaborative nature of the project also provides students unique opportunities such as supervising and teaching colleagues in a closely related field and interacting with professional organizations.