Analytical GC & LC

GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences

last updated: April 9, 2025

About the Laboratory

Analytical GC & LC

GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences

@ Section 3.2 Organic and Earth Surface Geochemistry

This Laboratory is part of:

Organic-geochemical Laboratories laboratory complex
Networks: Geo.X

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Description

In the Gas Chromatography Lab whole oil analyzes are performed with special attention to saturated hydrocarbons, highly volatile organic compounds, and lipid fractions (e.g. fatty acids, alcohols, sterols).

Instruments

Gas chromatography - specifically gas-liquid chromatography - involves a sample being vapourised and injected onto the head of the chromatographic column. The sample is transported through the column by the flow of inert, gaseous mobile phase. The column itself contains a liquid stationary phase which is adsorbed onto the surface of an inert solid. (Source: Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2023. GCMD Keywords, Version 16.3 [...] )
GC - Gas Chromatograph
Gas Chromatography - Flame Ionization Detector or GC-FID is a common analytical technique that is widely used in the petrochemical, pharmaceutical and natural gas markets. A flame ionization detector (FID) is a scientific instrument that measures the concentration of organic species in a gas stream. It is frequently used as a detector in gas chromatography. An FID typically uses a Hydrogen/Air flame into which the sample is passed to oxidize organic molecules and produces electrically charged particles (ions). The ions are collected and produce an electrical signal which is then measured. (Source: Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2023. GCMD Keywords, Version 16.3 [...] )
GC-FID - Gas Chromatography Flame Ionization Detector
Chromatography in which the mobile phase is a liquid. (Note 1: Liquid chromatography can be carried out either in a column or on a plane. Note 2: Liquid column chromatography utilizing small particles (2–20 μm) and a relatively high inlet pressure (up to 50 MPa (500 bar)) is often characterized by the term high-performance liquid chromatography, and the acronym HPLC. Note 3: If smaller particles (less than 2 μm) and higher inlet pressures (up to 150 MPa (1500 bar)) are employed, then the method is characterized by the term ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography UHPLC) or ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC).)(Source: IUPAC; https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2017-0111) (Source: Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2023. GCMD Keywords, Version 16.3 [...] )
LC - Liquid Chromatograph
GC-TOF-MS - Gas Chromatography Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer

Analytical Methods

Gas chromatography - specifically gas-liquid chromatography - involves a sample being vapourised and injected onto the head of the chromatographic column. The sample is transported through the column by the flow of inert, gaseous mobile phase. The column itself contains a liquid stationary phase which is adsorbed onto the surface of an inert solid.
Column chromatography in which the mobile phase is a gas. (Note 1: Gas chromatography is always carried out in a column.) (Source: IUPAC; https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2017-0111) (Source: Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2023. GCMD Keywords, Version 16.3 [...] )
GC - Gas Chromatography
Gas Chromatography - Flame Ionization Detector or GC-FID is a common analytical technique that is widely used in the petrochemical, pharmaceutical and natural gas markets. A flame ionization detector (FID) is a scientific instrument that measures the concentration of organic species in a gas stream. It is frequently used as a detector in gas chromatography. An FID typically uses a Hydrogen/Air flame into which the sample is passed to oxidize organic molecules and produces electrically charged particles (ions). The ions are collected and produce an electrical signal which is then measured.
Detector in chromatography: Sensor that responds to components in the effluent. (Source: IUPAC; https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2017-0111) (Source: Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2023. GCMD Keywords, Version 16.3 [...] )
GC-FID - Gas Chromatography Flame Ionization Detection
Chromatography in which the mobile phase is a liquid. (Note 1: Liquid chromatography can be carried out either in a column or on a plane. Note 2: Liquid column chromatography utilizing small particles (2–20 μm) and a relatively high inlet pressure (up to 50 MPa (500 bar)) is often characterized by the term high-performance liquid chromatography, and the acronym HPLC. Note 3: If smaller particles (less than 2 μm) and higher inlet pressures (up to 150 MPa (1500 bar)) are employed, then the method is characterized by the term ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography UHPLC) or ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC).)(Source: IUPAC; https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2017-0111)
LC - Liquid Chromatography
GC-TOF-MS - Gas Chromatography Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

Laboratory Keywords

In addition to the instruments and analytical methods listed above, these keywords help to describe the work done in the laboratory. This may include the type of samples, standard materials, specific preparative or analytical methods and specific instrument characteristics.

Headspace-Sampler (HS)
Orbitrap

Disciplines

Geoscience > Geochemistry > Geochemistry
Geochemistry

The Research Network for Geosciences in Berlin and Potsdam

Analytical GC & LC

GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences

About the Laboratory

Analytical GC & LC

Access

Description

Instruments

Analytical Methods

Laboratory Keywords

Disciplines

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