Fast-Track BTX Detection in Waterways: Portable MIMS for On-Site Environmental Monitoring

AbstractThe detection of Benzene, Toluene, and Xylenes (BTX) in water is essential for evaluating pollution in aquatic systems, as these volatile organic compounds (VOCs) pose serious environmental and public health risks. Conventional BTX monitoring methods rely on laboratory analysis, often resulting in delayed data and slower response times. This study presents the development and validation of a portable Membrane Inlet Mass Spectrometry (MIMS) method for the rapid, on-site detection of BTX in river and irrigation canal water. The MIMS system employed a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane inlet, enabling selective separation and detection of BTX compounds. The system demonstrated excellent portability (25 kg), real-time analysis capabilities (response time < 0.5 s), and high sensitivity with limits of detection (LOD) of 4.88 µg/L for benzene, 7.43 µg/L for toluene, and 7.46 µg/L for xylene. Validation was performed using DI water and spiked canal water samples (10–250 mg/L) to confirm linearity, selectivity, accuracy, and precision. Results showed that the method could successfully distinguish target analytes without interference from sample matrices, and the limit of quantification (LOQ) values met regulatory requirements for irrigation water and approached those for drinking water. The total time for on-site analysis was approximately 10 minutes. This portable MIMS method offers a fast, efficient, and reliable solution for environmental monitoring and real-time detection of water contaminants, significantly enhancing the capacity for rapid intervention in pollution events.