Green analytical approaches for contaminants: Sustainable alternatives to conventional chromatographic methods

Abstract

The growing importance of environmental sustainability has driven advancements in analytical chemistry, particularly in the development of green chromatographic techniques. This review explores various chromatographic methods that align with green chemistry principles, offering environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional gold-standard approaches. Techniques such as supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), miniaturized liquid chromatography (LC), and gas chromatography (GC) with alternative carrier gases (e.g., hydrogen and nitrogen) are discussed in depth for their ability to reduce solvent consumption, minimize waste, and improve operational efficiency. These methods not only maintain high sensitivity and accuracy but also reduce the ecological impact of contaminant analysis. By comparing these sustainable approaches to conventional techniques, this review highlights their potential to meet regulatory standards while supporting eco-friendly practices within routine analysis laboratories.