Environmental Mass Spectrometry
Introduction
The mass spectrometer is the most widely accepted detector for environmental analysis. Methods based on mass spectrometry are among the most powerful, sensitive, and reliable available for water science research. New methods are continually developed to take advantage of improvements in sample extraction techniques and instrument interfaces. Gas and liquid chromatography have been the most common mass spectrometer interfaces used for environmental methods. These methods are especially useful for research directed toward understanding the fate of environmental contaminants found in water and soils. Some of the compounds that can be analyzed by environmental mass spectrometry include:
- Pesticides and their transformation products
- Gasoline additives
- Disinfection by-products
- Pharmaceutical compounds, including antibiotics and other drugs
- Explosives, such as RDX and TNT, and their transformation products
- Endocrine disrupting compounds, including hormones, surfactants, and plasticizers
- Naturally occurring organics including algal toxins and odor-causing compounds
- Biomarkers, or compounds characteristic of certain microorganisms
- Hewlett Packard 5970 Gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS)
- Hewlett Packard 5972 Gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS)
- Thermofinnigan LCQ Ion trap Liquid chromatograph/mass spectrometer system (LC/MS/MS)
- Micromass Quattro Micro triple quadrupole Liquid chromatograph/mass spectrometer system (LC/MS/MS)
The GC/MS systems are useful for volatile organic compounds such as pesticides, gasoline oxygenates, and algal metabolites. The newer LC/MS/MS systems are state-of-the-art instruments for sensitive and selective analysis of more polar, water soluble organics such as explosives, pharmaceuticals, and surfactants. Specific methods that have been developed using this equipment are listed in the Lab's brochure (pdf). Contact Dan Snow (402-472-7539) if you have questions about these or to discuss development of other methods.
