OTC ChemTracer: Real-Time Membrane Inlet Photoionization Mass Spectrometry for Marine Environmental Monitoring

The OTC ChemTracer project develops a next-generation analytical platform for the detection and localization of organic pollutants and explosive residues in marine environments. Building on prior advances in photoionization mass spectrometry, the system integrates a membrane inlet with soft laser-based ionization (SPI, REMPI) and high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry to enable highly sensitive (ng/L) real-time detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), BTX, petroleum-derived compounds, and explosive residues in seawater.
Key innovations include optimized membrane enrichment for rapid pre-concentration, wavelength-tunable optical parametric oscillator (OPO) lasers for selective resonance ionization, and modular instrument architectures tailored for both shipborne deployments and autonomous submersible platforms. In addition, the system is complemented by hyper-fast gas chromatography for enhanced selectivity in complex mixtures.
Extensive laboratory studies have parameterized the ionization schemes for target pollutants and evaluated membrane permeability and adsorption/desorption dynamics. Field campaigns in the Baltic Sea, including deployments at the Kolberger Heide ammunition dumpsite, demonstrated in situ detection of PAHs, petroleum hydrocarbons, and nitroaromatic explosives, achieving ppt–ppb level detection limits and enabling high-resolution spatial mapping of contamination sources.
By combining rapid online mass spectrometry with geospatial and hydrodynamic sensor integration, OTC ChemTracer provides a powerful tool for source tracking, environmental risk assessment, and incident response. The project contributes directly to sustainable marine monitoring within the Ocean Technology Campus Rostock and the German “Clusters4Future” initiative, bridging cutting-edge mass spectrometry research with applied marine environmental protection.