January 2024

Spectroscopy plays a critical role in both macroscopic and microscopic plastics detection, which is the first step in remediation, and also in the commercial replacement of plastics with biodegradable materials. This piece provides tangible examples of efforts being made today, including details on spectral hardware implementation, but more importantly provides proposals to the reader on how they can make a meaningful difference in their own world.

This column discusses the spectra of different inorganic functional groups, such as sulfates, carbonates, nitrates, silicates, and phosphates, with special attention being paid to the stretching and bending vibrations of the polyatomic anions in these compounds.

Spectroscopy is publishing a series of feature articles highlighting the lives and careers of the most influential spectroscopists over the past 100 years. These individuals were selected by our Editorial Advisory Board and the editors to represent the leading figures in spectroscopy over the century. Our first featured Icons of Spectroscopy Laureate is Professor Gary Hieftje.

In November, Spectroscopy announced the acquisition of Spectroscopy Europe and Spectroscopy World, two leading publications in the spectroscopy space. We remember Ian Michael, the long-time publisher of both magazines, for the contributions he made to the industry.

This year’s Emerging Leader in Atomic Spectroscopy Award recipient is Eduardo Bolea-Fernández. For the past decade, Bolea-Fernández’s research has focused on the development of a newly introduced technique, termed tandem ICP-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS), for ultra-trace elemental and isotopic analysis. Senior technical editor Jerome Workman discusses Bolea-Fernández’s work here.

The article describes a method for geochemical sample analysis using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) crucibles and ICP-MS, achieving detection limits below 0.2 μg/g and relative standard deviations ranging from 1.1% to 16.4%. The approach minimizes acid usage, prevents dust contamination, accurately determines volatile elements, and is deemed suitable for high-throughput laboratories with numerous samples and diverse elements to be tested.