Researchers from Kumamoto University in Japan have developed a new method to improve the sensitivity of analytical systems for ionic solutes, such as water from rivers and lakes, or even tap water. Clean water is important for community health, and impurity analysis can is conducted via sensitive equipment such as mass spectrometers. However, these devices can be prohibitively expensive for low-income areas or if only a few samples are to be analyzed. In these cases, an enrichment process is used to improve the sensitivity of more easily accessible analytical systems.