New Possibilities for Targeted and Untargeted Contaminant Analysis in Environmental Samples

Oral Presentation

Prepared by D. Cardona1, E. Abad Holgado2, J. Saulo Dalmau2, M. Abalos Navarro2, C. Cojocariu1, D. Roberts1
1 - Thermo Fisher Scientific, 2215 Grand Ave Pkwy, Austin, TX, 78728, United States
2 - CSIC Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, Calle Jordi Girona, 18-26, Barcelona, 08034, Spain


Contact Information: dwain.cardona@thermofisher.com; 512-251-1400


ABSTRACT

GC-MS has established itself as one of the major techniques in environmental contaminant analysis since its inception in the 1950s. The coupling of GC to various mass spectrometers was first based upon magnetic sectors instruments with quadrupoles, ion traps and Tof instruments following later. Additionally, tandem and hybrid MS configurations has allowed additional opportunity to increase selectivity, sensitivity and a deeper understanding of our samples. Even with the advances in GC-MS technology, a real challenge exists in the simultaneous quantitative screening of target compounds coupled with broad range screening for untargeted compounds. This limits the scope of environmental monitoring to targeted groups of compounds and prevents retrospective trend analysis for newly discovered compounds. This combined workflow calls for full scan GC-MS acquisition of samples. To gain maximum advantage, an analytical method needs to be as comprehensive as possible with low selectivity in sample preparation to avoid unnecessary removal of significant compounds. This puts challenges in the detection of low level components, especially in a more complex matrix. To cope with these demands, GC-MS instrumentation need to be sensitive and selective enough to separate from both known and unknown contaminants from background signals.

Presented will be the performance of novel GC-MS system based on Orbitrap technology applied to the screening of environment matrices for contaminants. In addition, low level quantitative performance in the presence of matrix will be demonstrated using high resolution accurate mass full scan acquisitions. Also explored will be the performance as applied to emerging contaminants.