Non-Target Analytics - The Search for the Unknown

The LANUV regularly examines several hundred (micro)-pollutants that have been classified as relevant. However, since far more substances are produced industrially, it is most likely that there are other potentially relevant substances. These substances are neither detected using conventional analysis, nor is there any information on their occurrence in the aquatic environment.

Since 2014 the LANUV has been using a high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-HRMS) for non-target analysis. Therewith it is possible to determine the exact mass of a molecule to the third decimal place (high-resolution). This powerful measurement technique opens up the possibility to identify even previously unknown compounds in water samples.

If suspicious substances are detected during the regular non-target analysis, we try to identify the unknown substance based on its molecular mass. For this purpose, the suspected substance must be available as a pure substance in order to be able to verify and quantify the same with the help of various identification criteria. If a newly discovered substance exceeds the general prevention value of 0.1 µg/L, its relevance to the aquatic environment is investigated. Depending on the substance property and the concentration in the water samples, one of the further procedures follows, e.g.:

• Integration in the regular monitoring
• Integration in the ECHO measuring program
• Further monitoring via non-target analysis

Finally, the "Non Target News" are published here.