Conservation Applications of Solid-Phase Microextraction
Mark Ormsby
Conservation Scientist at the National Archives
and Records Administration (NARA)
April 18, 2006
About the Lecture:
Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is a simple, sensitive, and economical method for collecting and preparing samples for analysis by gas or liquid chromatography. The technique uses polymer-coated fibers to concentrate samples from gas or liquid phases without using solvents. The fiber is then injected into the chromatograph for analysis. The Research and Testing Lab at the National Archives and Records Administration has used SPME for the past several years in combination with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Plasticizers used with document lamination films are easily identified using SPME. Volatile organic pesticides previously used to treat Native American artifacts have also been studied. SPME fibers are currently being used to study acetic acid and other pollutant gases in Archives storage areas. A modified fiber is being tested for use as a very simple method for collecting time-weighted average readings of pollutant concentrations.
About the Speaker:
Mark Ormsby is currently a Conservation Scientist at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). He graduated from Grinnell College with a degree in physics and received a MS in physics from the University of Maryland. Since 1990, he has worked at NARA where his research interests include environmental monitoring, studying the role of gelatin sizing in paper degradation, and developing new applications of solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS).
