Water CI+, a new selective and highly sensitive method for the detection of environmental components using ion trap mass spectrometers

A new method for mass spectrometric trace analysis using an ion trap detector is presented based on chemical ionization with water as a reactant. The technique has advantages over the methods commonly used with regard to selectivity and detection limit and it facilitates the detection of unstable organic compounds. Specific applications in the trace analysis of polyaromatic hydrocarbons, trinitroaromatics as well as glycols and their derivatives are described.