[Applications of large-volume injection for environmental analysis]

Large-volume injection (LVI) in capillary gas chromatography (CGC) was developed for determining the trace components in environmental samples and for reducing (or even eliminating) the need for cleanup step, also for on-line connection of liquid chromatography (LC) with CGC. The key features of the LVI include sample retained by a large capacity volume liner or a retention gap, and solvent vapor eliminated by solvent vapor exit. There are many kinds of LVI techniques for different analyses, capillary columns and purposes. This review summarizes the recent developments of LVI for environmental analysis, include on column injection (OCI), programmed temperature vaporizer (PTV), AT-column, direct sample introduction/difficult matrix injection, concurrent solvent recondensation large volume splitless injection, and also through oven transfer adsorption desorption interface for on-line connection of LC with CGC.