Applications of mass spectrometry in environmental monitoring

Saros Gili, Costinel Diana, Saros Irina

INC –DTCI-ICSI Rm. Valcea, OP 4, CP 10, Rm. Valcea.

All over the world, over a milliard person inhales a very polluted air, especially with higher concentration of carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide resulted from industrial processes. The continuos increase of the motor vehicles number only make things worse. 
The running engine emits carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, hydrocarbons, benzene, methane and aldehydes. 
 In a wide sense, mass spectrometry is a method of high sensitivity chemical analysis for solids, gazes and vapors. Using GC/MS systems we can analyze a large number of organic and inorganic compounds, especially volatile compounds. The separation and the analysis of gazes like O2, N2, NO, NO2, CH4, CO si CO2 is a matter of high interest for medium moritoring. 
Ussing mass spectrometres and GC/MS systems we can analyse air and water samples from industrial areas surrounding the big cityes.