Mass spectrometry analysis of contaminants of emerging concern: Nanoparticles, algal toxins, and cyanotoxins in natural waters and their potential health impacts

“The analysis of contaminants of emerging concern is critical to protecting environmental health. In the presented dissertation, two groups of contaminants of emerging concern were assessed using mass spectrometry methods: nanoparticles and algal and cyanotoxins. Analysis of metal oxide nanoparticles in environmental matrices has been a challenging issue, as most traditional methods require complicated sample preparation methods or that can alter or destroy the nanoparticles in the system. Single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) methods were used to detect metal oxide nanoparticles in surface waters and their removal through drinking water treatment simulations while retaining all information regarding primary particles. Methods were developed to monitor titanium dioxide, cerium dioxide, zinc oxide, citrate-coated silver, and citrated-coated gold nanoparticles directly in surface water and water treated by multiple drinking water treatment methods. Results from these studies indicate that removal depends on the starting water quality, the surface of the nanoparticles, and the type of treatment employed. Cyanotoxins, produced by freshwater cyanobacteria, are a group of contaminants of emerging concern at the freshwater-marine water continuum. Cyanotoxins and several marine algal toxins were analyzed by a direct injection liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) in estuary samples from the contiguous United States. Anatoxin-a, cylindrospermopsin, domoic acid, and microcystins were detected in U.S. estuaries, indicating that cyanotoxins are transported to or produced in estuary systems”--Abstract, page iv