Profiling Environmental Contaminants in Water Using GC-Q/TOF

Changing the Paradigm for Water Pollution Monitoring
Oral Presentation

Prepared by T. Anumol1, S. Nieto2, C. Milner2, T. Young3
1 - Agilent Technologies, 2850 Centerville Rd, Wilmington, DE, 19808, United States
2 - Agilent Technologies, 5301 Stevens Creek Blvd, Santa Clara, CA, 95051, United States
3 - University of California - Davis, , , United States


Contact Information: [email protected]; 302-419-8909


ABSTRACT

The investigation of organic micropollutants is an important aspect of assessing
environmental quality. The conventional approach to this monitoring involves
analyzing a defined number of target compounds by mass spectrometry with the
instrument operated in a selected data acquisition mode for targeted analytes.
However, there is evidence that such an approach may significantly underestimate
the exposure and risk of pollutants, compared to a more comprehensive untargeted
screen.
Recent advances in mass spectrometry allows an increased scope of analysis, no
longer sensitivity or selectivity limited when using high resolution accurate mass
instruments operated in full spectrum acquisition mode. Accurate mass information
enhances the amount of detail in the information collected and allows for the
determination of both targeted and non-targeted components.
One of the challenges that this information rich
data can present is determining what samples
warrant a more detailed investigation. This work
presents some of the workflow possibilities for
profiling of samples to quickly identify samples of
interest, potential targets for further compound
identification.