Transportable Automated HRMS Platform “MS <sup>2</sup> field” Enables Insights into Water-Quality Dynamics in Real Time
Michael A. Stravs, Christian Stamm, Christoph Ort, Heinz Singer
Abstract
Tracking the occurrence of a broad variety of chemicals in the aquatic environment at a high temporal resolution over extended time periods is challenging. Here, we present a transportable platform integrating sample preparation, liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry measurement, automated data processing, and remote control and surveillance. The system is capable of quantifying pollutants at 20 min intervals with high sensitivity (limit of quantification down to 10 ng/L) and operated stably on-site over prolonged periods (<3 ppm mass drift over two weeks, <0.3 min retention time drift over six weeks). Field campaigns under different conditions demonstrated unprecedented insights into pollutant dynamics. Time-resolved measurements in a small creek revealed concentration peaks with up to 10-fold exceedances of environmental quality standards. The quantification of illicit drugs and their metabolites in raw wastewater distinguished fractions of consumed and discarded cocaine. Frequency analyses and data mining showed clusters of diurnal, episodic, and possibly industry-related pollutants, including newly identified substances. With this enabling technology the potential for researching and managing chemicals in natural and technical environments can be significantly expanded beyond our current capabilities, for example, real-time control in process engineering and sewer operation (water management and environmental toxicology), industrial surveillance, and wastewater-based epidemiology.