Chemical Fingerprinting: Advances in Analytical Techniques for Environmental Monitoring

Abstract

Chemical fingerprinting has emerged as a powerful analytical tool for environmental monitoring, enabling the identification and quantification of complex mixtures of chemicals in various environmental matrices. This paper discusses recent advancements in analytical techniques used for chemical fingerprinting, including gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. We explore the applications of these techniques in environmental monitoring, particularly in tracking pollution sources, assessing ecosystem health, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. The paper also highlights future directions and challenges in the field of chemical fingerprinting.