Characterization of high molecular weight dissolved organic compounds in natural waters by LC/ESI-MS (original) (raw)

1995

Abstract

High molecular weight dissolved organic compounds such as peptides, polysaccharides and humic substances (humic and fulvic acids) play a major role in modifying the distribution and bioavailability of both organic and inorganic pollutants (e.g. pesticides and heavy metals) in natural waters. To predict the rate and extent of such processes, knowledge of the structure and physico-chemical properties of these species is required. Humic substances and their anthropogenic derivatives (e.g. chlorolignosulphonic acids) have proved difficult to characterize using conventional analytical techniques such as UV, NMR and FAB-MS. However, a combination of LC fractionation and electrospray ionization mass spectrometric (ESI-MS) analysis has the potential to provide the type of structural information required, including identification and location of functional groups. ESI is a soft ionization technique, and ESI-MS provides accurate molecular weight determinations for large polar and ionic substa...

Kristin Orians hasn't uploaded this paper.

Let Kristin know you want this paper to be uploaded.

Ask for this paper to be uploaded.