skip to main content


Title: Understanding the structural complexity of dissolved organic matter: isomeric diversity
In the present work, the advantages of ESI-TIMS-FT-ICR MS to address the isomeric content of dissolved organic matter are studied. While the MS spectra allowed the observation of a high number of peaks ( e.g. , PAN-L: 5004 and PAN-S: 4660), over 4× features were observed in the IMS-MS domain ( e.g. , PAN-L: 22 015 and PAN-S: 20 954). Assuming a total general formula of C x H y N 0–3 O 0–19 S 0–1 , 3066 and 2830 chemical assignments were made in a single infusion experiment for PAN-L and PAN-S, respectively. Most of the identified chemical compounds (∼80%) corresponded to highly conjugated oxygen compounds (O 1 –O 20 ). ESI-TIMS-FT-ICR MS provided a lower estimate of the number of structural and conformational isomers ( e.g. , an average of 6–10 isomers per chemical formula were observed). Moreover, ESI-q-FT-ICR MS/MS at the level of nominal mass ( i.e. , 1 Da isolation) allowed for further estimation of the number of isomers based on unique fragmentation patterns and core fragments; the later suggested that multiple structural isomers could have very closely related CCS. These studies demonstrate the need for ultrahigh resolution TIMS mobility scan functions ( e.g. , R = 200–500) in addition to tandem MS/MS isolation strategies.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1654274
NSF-PAR ID:
10128609
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Faraday Discussions
Volume:
218
ISSN:
1359-6640
Page Range / eLocation ID:
431 to 440
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
More Like this
  1. Adsorption of natural organic matter (NOM) on nanomaterials (NMs) results in the formation of interfacial area between NMs and the surrounding environment (referred to as NOM-corona), giving rise to NMs' unique surface identity. This unique surface identity is determined by the ligands and their interactions with NM surfaces. Since the chemical structure and functionality is heterogeneous and polydisperse, the molecular composition of NOM-corona is the result of competitive adsorption of NOM molecules on the NM surface. Here, we investigate the molecular composition of NOM-corona formed from two different NOM samples (isolated from the Yukon River and Milwaukee River) on the surface of AgNMs using electrospray ionization-Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI-FT-ICR-MS). The composition of AgNM-NOM corona varied with the composition of the original NOM. In general, AgNM-NOM corona is rich with N- and S-containing compounds. Furthermore, AgNM-NOM corona is rich with compounds with high molecular weight, high unsaturation, and high number of oxygenated groups. However, CHOS (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and sulfur) compounds adsorbed on AgNMs from the Yukon River NOM have low molecular weight (LMW) and low saturation index, which might be due to selective adsorption via chemical complexation (Ag–S). On the other hand, NOM compounds with LMW and low unsaturation or compounds containing few oxygenated groups (mainly alcohols and ethers) are preferentially maintained in solution phase. The results here provide evidence of molecular interactions between NOM and NMs, which are critical to understanding NM behavior and toxicity in natural environments. 
    more » « less
  2. In the present work, four, well-studied, model peptides ( e.g. , substance P, bradykinin, angiotensin I and AT-Hook 3) were used to correlate structural information provided by ion mobility and ECD/CID fragmentation in a TIMS-q-EMS-ToF MS/MS platform, incorporporating an electromagnetostatic cell (EMS). The structural heterogeneity of the model peptides was observed by (i) multi-component ion mobility profiles (high ion mobility resolving power, R ∼115–145), and (ii) fast online characteristic ECD fragmentation patterns per ion mobility band (∼0.2 min). Particularly, it was demonstrated that all investigated species were probably conformers, involving cis / trans -isomerizations at X-Pro peptide bond, following the same protonation schemes, in good agreement with previous ion mobility and single point mutation experiments. The comparison between ion mobility selected ECD spectra and traditional FT-ICR ECD MS/MS spectra showed comparable ECD fragmentation efficiencies but differences in the ratio of radical (˙)/prime (′) fragment species (H˙ transfer), which were associated with the differences in detection time after the electron capture event. The analysis of model peptides using online TIMS-q-EMSToF MS/MS provided complementary structural information on the intramolecular interactions that stabilize the different gas-phase conformations to those obtained by ion mobility or ECD alone. 
    more » « less
  3. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a complex mixture of organic compounds found in all natural waters. Its composition affects its reactivity towards numerous processes. Its composition is a function of both its source (e.g., allochthonous or autochthonous) as well as the extent of environmental processing it has undergone (e.g., chemical or biological degradation). Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) allows for the characterization of dissolved organic matter at the molecular level. The water sample was collected near the NTL-LTER research buoy on Lake Mendota. Formula assignments were made to raw mass to charge ratios detected in the mass spectrum using a custom processing script and resulting in a list of chemical formulas making up the DOM sample. 
    more » « less
  4. null (Ed.)
    Engineered nanoparticle (NP) size and natural organic matter (NOM) composition play important roles in determining NP environmental behaviors. The aim of this work was to investigate how NP size and NOM composition influence the colloidal stability of polyvinylpyrrolidone coated platinum engineered nanoparticles (PVP-PtNPs). We evaluated PVP-PtNP aggregation as a function of the NP size (20, 30, 50, 75, and 95 nm, denoted as PVP-PtNP 20–95 ) in moderately hard water (MHW). Further, we quantified the effect of the hydrophobic organic acid (HPOA) fraction of NOM on the aggregation of PVP-PtNP 20 and PVP-PtNP 95 using 6 NOM samples from various surface waters, representing a range of NOM compositions and properties. NOM samples were characterized for bulk elemental composition ( e.g. , C, H, O, N, and S), specific ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (SUVA 254 ), and molecular level composition ( e.g. , compound classes) using ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry. Single particle-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (sp-ICP-MS) was employed to monitor the aggregation of PVP-PtNPs at 1 μg PVP-PtNP per L and 1 mg NOM per L concentrations. PVP-PtNP aggregate size increased with decreasing primary PVP-PtNP size, likely due to the lower zeta potential, the higher number concentration, and the higher specific surface area of smaller NPs compared to larger NPs at the same mass concentration. No aggregation was observed for PVP-PtNP 95 in MHW in the presence and absence of the different NOM samples. PVP-PtNP 20 formed aggregates in MHW in the presence and absence of the six NOM samples, and aggregate size increased in the presence of NOM likely due to interparticle bridging of NOM-coated PVP-PtNPs by divalent counterions. PVP-PtNP 20 aggregate size increased with the increase in NOM elemental ratio of H to C and the relative abundance of lignin-like/carboxyl rich-alicyclic molecules (CRAM)-like compounds. However, the aggregate size of PVP-PtNP 20 decreased with the increase in NOM molecular weight, NOM SUVA 254 , elemental ratio of O to C, and the relative abundance of condensed hydrocarbons and tannin-like compounds. Overall, the results of this study suggest that the composition and sources of NOM are key factors that contribute to the stability of PVP-PtNPs in the aquatic environment. 
    more » « less
  5. Abstract

    Topography and canopy cover influence ground temperature in warming permafrost landscapes, yet soil temperature heterogeneity introduced by mesotopographic slope positions, microtopographic differences in vegetation cover, and the subsequent impact of contrasting temperature conditions on soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics are understudied. Buffering of permafrost‐affected soils against warming air temperatures in boreal forests can reflect surface soil characteristics (e.g., thickness of organic material) as well as the degree and type of canopy cover (e.g., open cover vs. closed cover). Both landscape and soil properties interact to determine meso‐ and microscale heterogeneity of ground warming. We sampled a hillslope catena transect in a discontinuous permafrost zone near Fairbanks, Alaska, to test the small‐scale (1 to 3 m) impacts of slope position and cover type on soil organic matter composition. Mineral active layer samples were collected from backslope, low backslope, and footslope positions at depths spanning 19 to 60 cm. We examined soil mineralogical composition, soil moisture, total carbon and nitrogen content, and organic mat thickness in conjunction with an assessment of SOC composition using Fourier‐transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT‐ICR‐MS). Soils in the footslope position had a higher relative contribution of lignin‐like compounds, whereas backslope soils had more aliphatic and condensed aromatic compounds as determined using FT‐ICR‐MS. The effect of open versus closed tree canopy cover varied with the slope position. On the backslope, we found higher oxidation of molecules under open cover than closed cover, indicating an effect of warmer soil temperature on decomposition. Little to no effect of the canopy was observed in soils at the footslope position, which we attributed, in part, to the strong impact of soil moisture content in SOC dynamics in the water‐gathering footslope position. The thin organic mat under open cover on the backslope position may have contributed to differences in soil temperature and thus SOC oxidation under open and closed canopies. Here, the thinner organic mat did not appear to buffer the underlying soil against warm season air temperatures and thus increased SOC decomposition as indicated by the higher oxidation of SOC molecules and a lower contribution of simple molecules under open cover than the closed canopy sites. Our findings suggest that the role of canopy cover in SOC dynamics varies as a function of landscape position and soil properties, namely, organic mat thickness and soil moisture. Condition‐specific heterogeneity of SOC composition under open and closed canopy cover highlights the protective effect of canopy cover for soils on backslope positions.

     
    more » « less