93
© Springer Nature B.V. 2020
G. Sindona et al. (eds.), Toxic Chemical and Biological Agents, NATO Science
for Peace and Security Series A: Chemistry and Biology,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-2041-8_6
Chapter 6
Mass Spectrometry in Ecotoxicology
Ksenia J. Groh and Marc F.-J. Suter
Abstract Risk assessment of chemical effects in the environment requires the
understanding of the fate and behavior of anthropogenic chemicals in natural and
technical systems, which is the focus of environmental chemistry. The exposure
data obtained by environmental chemists are in turn used to evaluate the significance of toxicological effects in organisms, as studied by environmental toxicologists. Mass spectrometry-based techniques are frequently applied to monitor the
exposure or investigate the effects of chemicals, particularly their mechanism of
action. These techniques include, for example, targeted and non-targeted chemical
analytics as well as diverse –omics methods. This chapter illustrates the application
of mass spectrometry in environmental chemistry and toxicology using research
projects carried out at our institute, with a particular focus on the aquatic environment.
Keywords Chemical analysis · Mass spectrometry · Search for unknowns ·
Environmental chemistry · Ecotoxicology · Risk assessment · –omics techniques
6.1 Evolution of Environmental Analytical Tools
Early environmental analytical chemistry monitored a limited number of anthropogenic target chemicals in various natural compartments (e.g. water, sediment, organisms) and technical or anthropogenic systems (wastewater treatment plants, drinking
water production, urban runoff) in order to determine their fate and behavior. This
knowledge formed the basis for assessing risks of single chemicals or chemical
classes. Classical cases drawing attention to the importance of chemical monitoring
in the environment include the ubiquitous contamination by e.g. polychlorinated
K. J. Groh
Food Packaging Forum Foundation, Zürich, Switzerland
M. F.-J. Suter (*)
Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
ETH Zürich, Department of Environmental Systems Science, Zürich, Switzerland
e-mail: marc.suter@eawag.ch
© Springer Nature B.V. 2020
G. Sindona et al. (eds.), Toxic Chemical and Biological Agents, NATO Science
for Peace and Security Series A: Chemistry and Biology,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-2041-8_6
Chapter 6
Mass Spectrometry in Ecotoxicology
Ksenia J. Groh and Marc F.-J. Suter
Abstract Risk assessment of chemical effects in the environment requires the
understanding of the fate and behavior of anthropogenic chemicals in natural and
technical systems, which is the focus of environmental chemistry. The exposure
data obtained by environmental chemists are in turn used to evaluate the significance of toxicological effects in organisms, as studied by environmental toxicologists. Mass spectrometry-based techniques are frequently applied to monitor the
exposure or investigate the effects of chemicals, particularly their mechanism of
action. These techniques include, for example, targeted and non-targeted chemical
analytics as well as diverse –omics methods. This chapter illustrates the application
of mass spectrometry in environmental chemistry and toxicology using research
projects carried out at our institute, with a particular focus on the aquatic environment.
Keywords Chemical analysis · Mass spectrometry · Search for unknowns ·
Environmental chemistry · Ecotoxicology · Risk assessment · –omics techniques
6.1 Evolution of Environmental Analytical Tools
Early environmental analytical chemistry monitored a limited number of anthropogenic target chemicals in various natural compartments (e.g. water, sediment, organisms) and technical or anthropogenic systems (wastewater treatment plants, drinking
water production, urban runoff) in order to determine their fate and behavior. This
knowledge formed the basis for assessing risks of single chemicals or chemical
classes. Classical cases drawing attention to the importance of chemical monitoring
in the environment include the ubiquitous contamination by e.g. polychlorinated
K. J. Groh
Food Packaging Forum Foundation, Zürich, Switzerland
M. F.-J. Suter (*)
Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland
ETH Zürich, Department of Environmental Systems Science, Zürich, Switzerland
e-mail: marc.suter@eawag.ch