The relevant role of ion mobility separation in LC-HRMS based screening strategies for contaminants of emerging concern in the aquatic environment

Ion mobility separation (IMS) coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (IMS-HRMS) is a promising technique for (non-)target/suspect analysis of micropollutants in complex matrices. IMS separates ionized compounds based on their charge, shape and size facilitating the removal co-eluting isomeric/isobaric species. Additionally, data can be translated into collision cross-section (CCS) values, which used increase identification reliability. However, IMS-HRMS screening contaminants emerging concern (CECs) have been scarcely explored. In this study, role CECs matrices highlighted, with emphasis when purpose use. The utilization result much cleaner spectra, considerably facilitates interpretation obtaining reliable identifications. Furthermore, robustness measurements across permits use CCS as an additional relevant parameter during step even reference standards are not available. Moreover, effect number true false identifications could demonstrated by including restrictions within workflow. Data shown work special interest environmental researchers dealing detection state-of-the-art instruments.