The analytical challenges in marine chemistry are numerous due to the large number of natural toxins and their metabolites, the highly toxic nature of many of these compounds, and increasingly stringent regulatory guidelines. This article gives an overview of some recently developed mass spectrometry techniques and their application to marine biotoxins.
High-Speed Laser MS for Precise, Prep-Free Environmental Particle Tracking
April 21st 2025Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have demonstrated that a fast, laser-based mass spectrometry method—LA-ICP-TOF-MS—can accurately detect and identify airborne environmental particles, including toxic metal particles like ruthenium, without the need for complex sample preparation. The work offers a breakthrough in rapid, high-resolution analysis of environmental pollutants.