In-situ chemical analysis using mass spectrometry on unmanned underwater vehicles

The authors have constructed and deployed a mass spectrometry system that is capable of autonomous underwater operation for chemical analysis. This in-situ system, consisting of a membrane introduction interface coupled with a linear quadrupole mass filter, consumes less than 100 Watts of power and can detect and quantify dissolved gases and volatile organic compounds at part-per-billion (ppb) levels. Challenges of performing underwater mass spectrometry are discussed along with initial deployment results. An alternative version of an in-situ MS system, which is currently under development, is also described