Analysis of Organics in the Environment by Functional Group using a Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer

Abstract

Part of a comprehensive scheme for the direct analysis of organics in the environment is described. Liquid and solid chemical wastes and residues from lyophilized aqueous solutions are volatilized directly into the ion source of the triple quadrupole instrument. Allor most wet chemical and chromatographic separation steps are eliminated. Analysis of organics by functional group and molecular weight is accomplished using the technique of collision activated dissociation and a series of 0.5 s neutral loss and parent ion scans under data system control on the triple quadrupole instrument. Results from the analysis of influent to a waste water treatment plant obtained by both GC/MS and triple quadrupole mass spectrometry are compared. In the triple quadrupole method, both knowns and unknowns are characterized, detection limits are at the 10–100 ppb level, and the total analysis time per sample is typically only 25–30 min.