Everglades Environmental Restoration Project Aided by Mass Spectrometry Solution from Applied Biosystems/MDS Analytical Technologies

Applied Biosystems, a division of Life Technologies, today announced that scientists at Jupiter Environmental Laboratories in Florida are using a mass spectrometry solution to support the environmental restoration of the once pristine waterways of the Florida Everglades.

These scientists are using this technology as part of their support of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, a government-sponsored effort to restore, protect and preserve the water resources of central and southern Florida.

One of the key projects associated with this effort calls for reclaiming thousands of acres of citrus groves and sugar plantations, and restoring the natural waterways of the Everglades. This effort requires the identification and elimination of a wide variety of pesticides and other contaminants. To address this challenge, the team at Jupiter Laboratories is using the AB SCIEX QTRAP® 5500 System, a next-generation mass spectrometer, to provide information that will enable environmental engineers to make more informed decisions regarding how to dismantle canals, transfer land and restore natural flood plains. This technology was developed by the joint-venture partnership of Applied Biosystems and MDS Analytical Technologies, a business unit of MDS Inc.

“This restoration project is critical to the long-term survival of the Everglades ecosystem,” said Ed Debrea, Chief Scientist at Jupiter Environmental Laboratories. “We felt it was important to utilise the most advanced scientific approach to provide the highest quality data for identifying the various types of contamination that need to be addressed.”

The AB SCIEX QTRAP 5500 System is a unique mass spectrometer from Applied Biosystems/MDS Analytical Technologies that enables scientists to identify and confirm results in a single analysis. It features a combination of sensitivity, scanning speed and capacity that enables the analysis of more than 1,000 chemicals in a single test. This system augments the speed of obtaining results from weeks using other technologies, to typically less than two days.

“The Everglades project exemplifies how environmental scientists are applying mass spectrometry to address a serious issue that requires powerful analytical scientific tools,” said Laura Lauman, President of the Mass Spectrometry Systems Division of Life Technologies. “Our customers have a tremendous responsibility that directly impacts human health and overall wellbeing. We’re providing them with technologies that enable them to do their work as effectively as possible.”