High-Resolution Mass Spectrometric Techniques for Structural Characterization and Determination of Organic Pollutants in the Environment

This chapter begins with a review of high-resolution mass spectroscopy (HRMS) terminology, followed by the discussion of some parameters influencing accurate mass measurements and the identification of organic compounds when using HRMS. It focuses on the main mass analyzers capable of acquiring high-resolution mass data and discusses some environmental applications. The chapter illustrates the main advantages and/or requirements of using a high resolution, more than just giving a list of recent studies using HRMS applied to environmental analysis, which are available in some reviews. It draws on the high-resolution mass analyzers for structural characterization and determination of organic pollutants in the environment. Mass spectrometry (MS) has a dynamic history with a continually progressing technology that has made significant advances into different fields and especially in environmental analysis. Identification and quantification of compounds require appropriate sample preparation followed by instrumental analysis, generally coupling Gas chromatography and/or liquid chromatography to MS, depending on the nature of the compounds.