Combination of Passive Sampling and Non-targeted Analysis of Environmental Water Samples
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| Year of publication | 2025 |
| Type | Chapter of a book |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
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| Description | The chapter highlights the benefits of integrating passive sampling techniques with chromatographic separation techniques (liquid and gas chromatography, LC, GC) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) for characterizing complex aquatic contaminant mixtures. While non-targeted analysis identifies a broader range of contaminants than the conventional targeted analysis, many detected features often remain unidentified. Advances in MS2 spectral libraries improve identification through suspect screening, but limitations such as low concentrations and matrix effects challenge confident identification. Passive sampling enhances detection by in situ concentrating contaminants and increasing signal intensity, whereas matrix effects can be minimized with tailored sorbents and membranes. The approach is illustrated by a case study, where passive sampling combined with LC-HRMS was applied in a river basin for identified contamination patterns and site-specific pollutants linked to various pollution sources, such as untreated municipal wastewater and industrial discharges. The potential of digitally stored data obtained from passive samplers for retrospective analysis of aquatic chemicals and their association with biological effects is also shown. |
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