Field chemical analysis using real-time in-water mass spectrometry

The authors have developed and deployed two underwater membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MMS) systems that can operate autonomously or under user control via a wireless rf link The initial underwater MIMS system uses a linear quadrupole mass filter for mass analysis, whereas the next generation system uses an ion trap mass spectrometer. Both instruments can be deployed either on moorings or on underwater vehicles. The authors have collected data with each underwater mass spectrometer under a variety of deployment scenarios, from environmental monitoring applications to exploration of underwater hydrothermal vents. Use of in-situ mass spectrometry for detection and localization of chemical plumes has also been investigated