High-res MS

GFZ - German Research Centre for Geosciences

last updated: January 2, 2025

About the Laboratory

High-res MS

GFZ - German Research Centre for Geosciences

@ Section 3.2 Organic Geochemistry

This Laboratory is part of:

Organic-geochemical Laboratories laboratory complex
Networks: Geo.X

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Description

FT-ICR-MS is applied for the characterization of polar compounds like NSO (nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen containing organic compounds) in fossil and recent geological samples (sediments, sedimentary rocks, coals, soils, and water samples), assessment of secondary alteration processes in petroleum systems (maturation, biodegradation, and migration), characterization of high molecular weight aromatic compounds, elucidation of molecular formulae and molecular imaging.

GC-MS in general is used for identification and quantification of organic compounds in complex mixtures, analysis of fossil biomarkers, analysis of aromatic hydrocarbons and structure elucidation.
The Thermo Q-Exactive Plus (Orbitrap#1) used for high-resolution, high-sensitivity target compound analysis (via Thermo UltiMate 3000 UHPLC); clumped and position-specific carbon isotope analysis via direct infusion or via HPLC autosampler with loop (ESI). Thermo Q-Exactive Plus (Orbitrap#2) is used for clumped and position-specific carbon isotope analysis via direct infusion (APPI & APCI). Thermo GC-Exploris (Orbitrap#2) is used for clumped and position-specific carbon isotope analysis via GC (EI).

Instruments

Mass spectrometer based on the principle of ion cyclotron resonance in which an ion in a magnetic field moves in a circular orbit at the cyclotron frequency that is characteristic of its m/z value. Ions are coherently excited to a larger radius orbit using a pulse of radio frequency electric field, and their image charge is detected on receiver plates as a time domain signal. Fourier transformation of the time domain signal results in a frequency domain signal that is converted to a mass spectrum based on the inverse relationship between cyclotron frequency and m/z. (Source: IUPAC; https://doi.org/10.1351/PAC-REC-06-04-06)
FT-ICR-MS - Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer
In the simplest terms, the GC/MS instrument represents a device that separates chemical mixtures (the GC component) and a very sensitive detector (the MS component) with a data collector (the computer component). Additional information available at "http://caag.state.ca.us/bfs/toxlab/gcms.htm" [Summary provided by the California Bureau of Forensic Services] (Source: Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2023. GCMD Keywords, Version 16.3 [...] )
GC-MS - Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometer

Analytical Methods

Chemical ionization of a sample that is a gas or nebulized liquid, using an atmospheric pressure corona discharge or beta emitter such as 63Ni. (Source: IUPAC; https://doi.org/10.1351/PAC-REC-06-04-06)
APCI - Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization
Direct ionization of molecules at atmospheric pressure by electron detachment induced by photons forming M+•, or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization in which the reactant ions are generated by photoionization of suitable dopant species and subsequent ion/molecule reactions of their molecular ions. (Source: IUPAC; https://doi.org/10.1351/PAC-REC-06-04-06)
APPI - Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization
Ionization that removes one or more electrons from an atom or molecule through interactions with electrons that are typically accelerated to energies between 10 and 150 eV. Deprecated: electron impact ionization (Source: IUPAC; https://doi.org/10.1351/PAC-REC-06-04-06)
EI - Electron Ionization
Electron Impact Ionization
Spray ionization process in which either cations or anions in solution are transferred to the gas phase via formation and desolvation at atmospheric pressure of a stream of highly charged droplets that result from applying a potential difference between the tip of the electrospray needle containing the solution and a counter electrode. (Source: IUPAC; https://doi.org/10.1351/PAC-REC-06-04-06)
ESI - Electrospray Ionization
MALDI - Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization
Mass spectrometer based on the principle of ion cyclotron resonance in which an ion in a magnetic field moves in a circular orbit at the cyclotron frequency that is characteristic of its m/z value. Ions are coherently excited to a larger radius orbit using a pulse of radio frequency electric field, and their image charge is detected on receiver plates as a time domain signal. Fourier transformation of the time domain signal results in a frequency domain signal that is converted to a mass spectrum based on the inverse relationship between cyclotron frequency and m/z. (Source: IUPAC; https://doi.org/10.1351/PAC-REC-06-04-06)
FT-ICR-MS - Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry
In the simplest terms, the GC/MS instrument represents a device that separates chemical mixtures (the GC component) and a very sensitive detector (the MS component) with a data collector (the computer component). Additional information available at "http://caag.state.ca.us/bfs/toxlab/gcms.htm" [Summary provided by the California Bureau of Forensic Services]
Technique by which a mixture is separated into individual components by gas chromatography, followed by detection with a mass spectrometer. (Source: IUPAC; https://doi.org/10.1351/PAC-REC-06-04-06) (Source: Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2023. GCMD Keywords, Version 16.3 [...] )
GC-MS - Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry

Laboratory Keywords

In addition to the instruments and analytical methods listed above, these keywords help to describe the work done in the laboratory. This may include the type of samples, standard materials, specific preparative or analytical methods and specific instrument characteristics.

Chemical Ionization (CI)
Direct Infusion Experiments
HPLC
High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS)
Tandem-Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS)

Disciplines

Geoscience > Geochemistry > Geochemistry
Geochemistry

The Research Network for Geosciences in Berlin and Potsdam

High-res MS

GFZ - German Research Centre for Geosciences

About the Laboratory

High-res MS

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Description

Instruments

Analytical Methods

Laboratory Keywords

Disciplines

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