Membrane inlet mass spectrometry for in situ environmental monitoring

Membrane inlet mass spectrometry (MIMS) is a technique which allows selective and direct introduction of certain analytes of interest into the vacuum chamber of a mass spectrometer through a semi-permeable membrane (via the mechanism of pervaporation). The membrane acts as the interface between the bulk sample matrix and the high vacuum environment of the mass spectrometer. In this article Maher et al examine the use of portable MIMS for in situ oil-in-water analysis.