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Direct detection of organic compounds in water at parts‐per‐billion levels using a simple membrane probe and a quadrupole ion trap
Author(s) -
Lister Anita K.,
Wood Karl V.,
Cooks R. Graham,
Noon Kathleen R.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
biomedical and environmental mass spectrometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.475
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9888
pISSN - 0887-6134
DOI - 10.1002/bms.1200181206
Subject(s) - chemistry , triple quadrupole mass spectrometer , membrane , analytical chemistry (journal) , aqueous solution , detection limit , mass spectrometry , quadrupole ion trap , ion trap , parts per notation , ion , quadrupole mass analyzer , hollow fiber membrane , chromatography , selected reaction monitoring , tandem mass spectrometry , organic chemistry , biochemistry
Abstract Organic compounds present in aqueous solutions can be analyzed directly using a quadrupole ion trap detector (ITD) when the solution is introduced via a hollow fiber membrane probe. The flow‐through configuration used for sample introduction allows the aqueous solution to flow through the capillary membrane tubing while the organic compounds which selectively permeate the membrane are ionized in the ion source. In this mode of operation, the instrument shows high sensitivity. Chemical ionization mass spectra for a set of ten organic compounds of environmental interest were recorded and the ITD/membrane system was found to consistently allow detection of part‐per‐billion (ppb) levels of these compounds directly from water without any preconcentration. Analysis of well water samples containing ppb to part‐per‐million levels of organics was demonstrated using the ITD/membrane system. The combination of the membrane probe and ion trap produces a compact, inexpensive, rapid and sensitive system for environmental analysis. The flow‐through membrane configuration was also used with a direct insertion probe in a triple quadrupole. Detection limits in the ppb range for organic compounds in water were measured. Detection of particular compounds in complex matrices was demonstrated by detection of 10 ppb 2‐methoxypyridine in a fermentation medium using a triple‐quadrupole mass spectrometer.