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Get the Results Your Lab Needs for Critical Environmental Research
From PFAS in groundwater to elemental characterization of soil and waste, modern environmental monitoring often requires more than a single analytical approach. LECO delivers both high-performance mass spectrometry and precise elemental analysis instrumentation, enabling labs around the world to get a more complete picture of their samples. Laboratories can identify trace contaminants while also quantifying the bulk composition of environmental samples. Together, these tools provide the complete analytical insight needed to assess and protect ecosystem health.
Multi-Dimensional Separation & Non-Targeted Screening
When trace contaminants are lost in complex, “dirty” samples, standard chromatography falls short. LECO’s GC-TOFMS and GCxGC-TOFMS platforms provide the separation power needed for the most challenging environmental matrices.
- GCxGC: The increased peak capacity of multidimensional chromatography provides cleaner analyte spectra and group-type separation.
- High-Resolution TOFMS: High resolution accurate mass performance allows users to compute the elemental formula of unknown analytes and improve identification confidence.
- Powerful Deconvolution: ChromaTOF software identifies trace-level pollutants even when obscured by heavy matrix backgrounds common with environmental extracts and Pyrolysis GC-MS analyses.
Elemental & Macro Composition
To put organic data into context, you must first quantify the sample’s bulk chemistry. LECO’s combustion analyzers and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) systems provide high-throughput quantification of primary elemental constituents.
- Carbon & Nitrogen: Essential metrics for monitoring carbon sequestration (e.g., measuring Total Organic Carbon (TOC) in soil), evaluating soil health, and managing nutrient loads.
- Sulfur Monitoring: Provides essential data for managing sulfur-related emissions and supporting environmental performance in biofuels and solid fuel applications.
- Thermogravimetric Analysis: Automatically determines moisture, ash, and volatiles in biomass, sludge, and soils. This data is critical for process control and for correcting organic results on a dry-weight basis.
Discover what’s in your sample. No matter your mission, you can rely on LECO instruments to provide the data required for your scientific and regulatory goals. Explore our library of application notes and technical resources to see our solutions in action.
Environmental Analysis Webinar Series
LECO Insights for a More Sustainable Planet
Gain a higher level of confidence in your environmental analyses by tuning in to our informative webinars. Learn from experts in the field and discover how LECO instruments can help you achieve faster and more reliable results.
ON DEMAND
Beyond the Target: Analytical Strategies for the Non-Targeted Screening of Per- and Poly-Fluorinated Substances by GC-TOFMS
Flavio Antonio Franchina – Associate Professor | Marco De Poli – Phd Student | University of Ferrara
ON DEMAND
Explore Complex Environmental Samples for PFAS-Related Compounds Using HR-TOFMS and Spectral Analysis Software Tools
David Alonso, Applications Chemist | LECO Corporation
ON DEMAND
Effective Strategies for the Capture and Separation of Volatile PFAS in Environmental Monitoring
Emanuela Gionfriddo, Associate Professor of Chemistry | University at Buffalo
ON DEMAND
Sloppy Disposal – A Combination of Targeted and Non-Targeted GCxGC-HRT Investigations of DDT Manufacturing Waste Products
Chris Reddy & Bob Nelson | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)
Environmental Profiling
Browse the app notes and white papers below to discover how our instruments perform when put to the test with challenging environmental applications.
The LECO Difference
Trusted expertise, groundbreaking technology, and a commitment to your success.
Identify Every Pollutant
Identify POPs with confidence using multidimensional chromatography and high-resolution accurate mass TOFMS.
Trace–Level Sensitivity
Achieve superior LODs for halogenated species with EI or NCI ionization—without switching sources.
Advanced Automation
Streamline workflows and improve efficiency with automated analysis.
Best-In-Class Service
We dedicate ourselves to your success through unmatched support, training, and fast service.
Featured Instruments and Software
Pegasus BTX
High-Sensitivity Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer for GC
Pegasus GC HRT
High-Resolution GC-TOFMS with Folded Flight Path technology
CN828 / 928
Combustion Analyzer for Carbon and Nitrogen Determination
Spectral Analysis Tools
Harness the power of accurate mass and high-resolution mass spectrometry with SAT
TGA801
Moisture, Ash, Volatile Content, and Loss on Ignition
C832 / SC832
High-Precision Carbon/Sulfur Analyzer
RC612
Multiphase Carbon and Water Analyzer
TGM800
Thermogravimetric Moisture Determinator
CS744
Carbon and Sulfur Analysis by Combustion
Testimonials
“For the past 20 years, LECO GCxGC platforms have been the shining star of our laboratory and provided previously unattainable and novel insights into the source, transport, and fate of organic contaminants in the environment. These robust and responsive instruments have helped us investigate the efficacy of dispersants during the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster, non-target searching of dumped DDT waste along the CA coastline and characterize the toxic components of burnt plastic from the 2021 Express Pearl fire.
Our best work has relied on the synergy of complimentary data produced by LECO’s GCxGC-FID, Pegasus 4D, and Pegasus HRT 4D High Resolution TOF mass spectrometers. Combined with LECO’s excellent technical support, software development, and customer service, we cannot imagine a better product and company.”
Bob Nelson and Chris Reddy | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
“We have been working with LECO’s GC×GC-TOF instruments since 2004, beginning with Pegasus IVD and even the first prototypes of the high resolution mass spectrometers. My colleagues are fond of the TOF information capacity, reliability, speed and especially software features. Accurate mass measurements, GC×GC option and now three methods of ionization allow working with the most complex samples and achieving reliable results. We have been working mainly in the field of environmental analysis. Besides development of the methodology of non-target analysis, studies of the rain water from France, Russia, and Chile, snow from the USA, Russia, Finland, the Baikal Lake, and the Arctic islands, cloud water from France, soil and water from Montenegro and the USA. A solution to the contamination problem of the Gray Whales are also worth mentioning. LECO instruments were also successfully used in the studies of drinking water preparation and disinfection by-products formation as well as in the research dealing with cultural heritage, including Stradivarius violins, ancient Egyptian mummies and Chinese scrolls. Over 50 papers in the top international journals were published on these issues. I would like to specially mention that every year brings some interesting novelties increasing the power of the LECO mass spectrometers. This year we got the two newest models of Pegasus BTX4D and Pegasus HRT+4D instruments. We are looking forward with optimism to work with new samples related to Chinese art, drinking and waste water purification, and plants used in Chinese traditional medicine.”
Prof. Albert Lebedev, MSU-BIT University, Shenzhen, China
David Benanou – Expert Analytical Research | VEOLIA RESEARCH & INNOVATION