Development of a certified reference material (NMIJ CRM 7505-a) for the determination of trace elements in tea leaves

A certified reference material (CRM) for trace elements in tea leaves has been developed in National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ). The CRM was provided as a dry powder (<90 μm) after frozen pulverization of washed and dried fresh tea leaves from a tea plant farm in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Characterization of the property value for each element was carried out exclusively by NMIJ with at least two independent analytical methods, including inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), high-resolution (HR-) ICP-MS, isotope-dilution (ID-) ICP-MS, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), graphite-furnace atomic-absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS) and flame atomic-absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Property values were provided for 19 elements (Ca, K, Mg, P, Al, B, Ba, Cd, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, Zn and Co) and informative values for 18 elements (Ti, V, Cr, Y, and all of the lanthanides, except for Pm whose isotopes are exclusively radioactive). The concentration ranges of property values and informative values were from 1.59% (mass) of K to 0.0139 mg kg(-1) of Cd and from 0.6 mg kg(-1) of Ti to 0.0014 mg kg(-1) of Lu, respectively. Combined relatively standard uncertainties of the property values were estimated by considering the uncertainties of the homogeneity, analytical methods, characterization, calibration standard, and dry-mass correction factor. The range of the relative combined standard uncertainties was from 1.5% of Mg and K to 4.1% of Cd.     

Analysis of germanium and germanium dioxide samples by mass-spectrometry and atomic emission spectroscopy

Three multielement methods: (1) inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), (2) inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), and (3) spark source mass spectrometry (SSMS) were used for the determination of additives in the samples of germanium and germanium oxide. The detection limits of direct SSMS and ICP-AES/ICP-MS were compared using the autoclave predissolution of germanium and germanium dioxide samples. It was shown that in the latter case, the detection limits could be significantly improved by the separation of germanium from analytes by distillation. In this case, the detection limits of such limiting elements like Th and U can reach the level n 10^?10 wt %.     

Comparison of ICP-AES and ICP-MS for the Analysis of Trace Elements in Soil Extracts

Abstract

The extraction of the chemical species Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb, operationally defined, from a sewage sludge treated soil with various extractants (ammonium acetate, acetic acid and EDTA) has been studied by using two analytical techniques: inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). A comparison of the mean values measured by the two techniques with the t-criterion reveal that the differences are not significant in all the extractants mentioned above.

Results are also compared with data from a laboratory intercomparison exercise organized in the BCR-programme (Bureau Communautaire de Reference) and discussed. A fast screening of the concentration of other trace metals could be provided by ICP-MS with good precision and low detection limits.     

Multielement analytical procedure coupling INAA, ICP-MS and ICP-AES: Application to the determination of major and trace elements in sediment samples of the Bouregreg river (Morocco)

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) were used for the determination of major and trace elements in sediment samples of the Bouregreg river (Morocco). The reliability of the results was checked, by using IAEA Soil-7 certified reference material. Results obtained by the three techniques were compared to control digestions efficiencies. A general good agreement was found between INAA and both ICP-MS and ICP-AES after alkaline fusion (ICPf). The ICP-MS technique used after acid attack (ICPa) was satisfactory for a few elements. A principal component analysis (PCA) has been used for analyzing the variability of concentrations, and defining the most influential sites with respect to the general variation trends. Three groups of elements could be distinguished. For these groups a normalization of concentrations to the central element concentration (that means Mn, Si or Al) is proposed.     

Lead speciation by HPLC-ICP-AES and HPLC-ICP-MS

Speciation of inorganic lead (Pb2+) and several trialkyllead species (trimethyllead chloride [TML], triethyllead chloride [TEL], and triphenyllead chloride [TPhL]) is investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with detection by both inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Reversed-phase, ion-pairing, and ion-exchange HPLC modes are studied. Optimal chromatographic conditions for ICP-AES detection include a reversed-phase separation utilizing a step gradient from 10 to 70% methanol. However, the gradient has been found to destabilize the plasma when using ICP-MS detection. An isocratic separation with a 30% methanol mobile phase has been found to be the best compromise between plasma stability and chromatographic resolution. Detection limits using ICP-MS detection are 3 orders of magnitude improved over ICP-AES detection.     

Major-to-ultratrace elements in bone-marrow fluid as determined by ICP-AES and ICP-MS.

The major-to-ultratrace elements in human bone-marrow fluid were determined by ICP-AES (inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry), and ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry). The bone-marrow fluid sample was centrifuged prior to acid digestion to exclude the bone piece from bone marrow, and then digested with nitric acid. As a result, 20 elements could be determined over the concentration range from 1610 microg g(-1) for Na to 0.00043 microg g(-1) for W. It was found that Fe, Zn and Sb were enriched by ca. 264-, 7- and 15-fold, respectively, in bone-marrow fluid, compared to those in human blood serum. Alkali metals (K, Rb, Cs), except for Na, were also significantly enriched in bone-marrow fluid. Furthermore, the concentrations of various elements, such as Fe, P, Al, Zn, Cu, Se, Zr, Sn, Ag and W, were significantly higher than those in open seawater.     

ICP-AES和ICP-MS法测定光学玻璃中的15种稀土元素

采用Na₂O₂熔融分解样品,运用电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法（ICP-AES）和电感耦合等离子体质谱法（ICP-MS）测定光学玻璃中的稀土元素。采用该方法对国家一级标准物质GBW07158、GBW07159、GBW07160和GBW07161进行测定,其结果表明与标准值相符。方法选择性好、灵敏度好、定量准确,适用于光学玻璃中稀土元素的测定,结果令人满意。     

Determination of metals in biofluids and tissues: sample preparation methods for atomic spectroscopic techniques

Several sample preparation methods unique to each instrumental technique exist for the elemental analysis of biological specimens, but no review or book has dealt with them. The present review is an attempt to fill this void and focuses on sample preparation methods unique to atomic and X-ray spectroscopic techniques. The techniques covered are: flame and electrothermal AAS, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) since these are most commonly used in trace element analysis of biological materials. The intent is not to present the procedural details for the various tissues or elements, but rather to highlight the methods which are unique to each instrument. The bibliography accompanying this review should aid the analytical chemist in his/her search for the detailed preparation protocols.     

Application of laser ablation ICP-MS to elemental analysis of glasses

A technique involving the coupling of laser ablation and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer has been used for semi-quantitative analysis of glasses without sample dissolution. The characteristic features of this technique is low detection limit and accuracy between a few % up to 20%. An NIST glass standard (SRM 612) was dissolved and then analysed by ICP-MS in semi-quantitative mode. The results were in close agreement with the certified values for elements such as Mn, Sr, Y, Ti...Abbreviations AA atomic absorption - ICP-OES inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy - ICP-MS inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry - LA laser ablation     

Distributions of major-to-ultratrace elements among the particulate and dissolved fractions in natural water as studied by ICP-AES and ICP-MS after sequential fractionation.

In order to elucidate the distributions of the elements among the particulate and dissolved fractions in pond water, major-to-ultratrace elements in different sizes of particles as well as in the filtrate passed through the 0.05 microm filter were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The different sizes of particle samples (ca. 100-300 microg each) were collected on the membrane filters with pore sizes of 10, 3.0, 1.2, 0.4, 0.2 and 0.05 microm, respectively, by sequential fractionation. As a result, about 40 elements in different sizes of particles could be determined by ICP-AES and ICP-MS, after acid digestion using HNO3/HF/HClO4. Then, the fractional distribution factors of major-to-ultratrace elements among the particulate and dissolved fractions were estimated from the analytical results. The total contents of Al, Fe, Ti, REEs (rare earth elements), Bi, Pb and Ag in the particulate fractions (larger than 0.05 microm) were more than 80-90%, while those of Ca, Sr, Cs, W, Ba, Mn and Co in the dissolved fraction, which corresponded to the filtrate passed through the 0.05 microm membrane filter, were more than 80%. It was further found that the fractional distributions of Cu and Zn in the dissolved fraction were ca. 50%. In addition, the enrichment factors (EFs) of the elements in the particulate fractions with particle sizes of 3.0-10 microm and 0.05-0.2 microm were estimated to elucidate their geochemical characteristics in natural water.     

Trends in sorption preconcentration combined with noble metal determination.

Nowadays much attention is being paid to the determination of trace amounts of noble metals in geological, industrial, biological and environmental samples. The most promising techniques, such as inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) are characterized by high sensitivity. However, the accurate determination of trace noble metals has been limited by numerous interferences generated from the presence of matrix elements. To decrease, or eliminate, these interferences, the sorption preconcentration of noble metals is often used prior to their instrumental detection. A great number of hyphenated methods of noble metal determination using sorption preconcentration have been developed. This review describes the basic types of available sorbents, preconcentration procedures and preparations of the sorbent to the subsequent determination of noble metals. The specific features of instrumental techniques and examples of ETAAS, FAAS, ICP-AES, ICP-MS determinations after the sorption preconcentration of noble metals are considered. The references cited here were selected mostly from the period 1996 - 2006.     

Preconcentration of platinum group metals on modified silicagel and their determination by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in airborne particulates

Modified silicagel (C18) was studied for separation and preconcentration of platinum group metals (Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir and Pt) as ion associates of their chlorocomplexes with cation of onium salt N(1-carbaethoxypentadecyl)-trimethyl ammonium bromide. Sample containing HCl and the onium salt was pumped through the column. After elution with ethanol the eluate was evaporated in the presence of HCl. Resulting aqueous solutions were analysed with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Recovery values of 1-20 mug Pt and Pd from 50 ml of synthetic pure solution were 100+/-3 and 100+/-1%, respectively, however, they diminished with increasing sample volume and in the presence of the real sample matrix or nitrate ions. Samples of engine soot (NIES No. 8), decomposed by low pressure oxygen high-frequency plasma, and airborne particulates from dust filters of meteorological stations, leached with HNO(3) and H(2)O(2), were analysed. A reasonable agreement was found between ICP-MS and ICP-AES results for airborne dust samples and the values comparable with those in literature were determined in NIES No. 8.     

Ni speciation in tea infusions by monolithic chromatography—ICP-MS and Q-TOF-MS

For humans, Ni is not considered to be an essential trace element. Its compounds, at levels present in foodstuffs and drinks, are generally considered to be safe for consumption, but for individuals who already suffer from contact allergy to Ni and may be subject to develop systemic reactions from its dietary ingestion, dietary exposure to Ni must be kept under control. Being the second most popular beverage, tea is a potential source of dietary Ni. Present knowledge on its speciation in tea infusions is poor. Therefore, complete speciation analysis, consisting of separation by liquid chromatography using a weak CIM DEAE-1 monolithic column, “on-line” detection by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and “off-line” identification of ligands by hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (Q-TOF MS), was implemented for the first time to study Ni speciation in tea infusions. Total concentrations of Ni in dry leaves of white, green, oolong and black tea (Camellia sinensis) and flowers of herbal chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) tea were determined after microwave digestion by ICP-MS. They lay between 1.21 and 14.4 mg?kg^?1. Good agreement between the determined and the certified values of the Ni content in the standard reference material SRM 1573a tomato leaves confirmed the accuracy of the total Ni determination. During the infusion process, up to 85 % of Ni was extracted from tea leaves or flowers. Separation of Ni species was completed in 10 min by applying aqueous linear gradient elution with 0.6 mol?L^?1 NH₄NO₃. Ni was found to be present in the chromatographic fraction in which quinic acid was identified by Q-TOF in all the tea infusions analysed, which had pH values between 5.6 and 6.0. The only exception was the infusion of hibiscus tea with a pH of 2.7, where results of speciation analysis showed that Ni is present in its divalent ionic form.     

微波辅助消解-原子荧光法测定玻璃中的镉砷铅

光学玻璃中的各种元素对玻璃的光学性能有不同的影响。如加入镉可以提高玻璃折射率;砷的引入能增加玻璃的透光度,含铅玻璃具有低成本、高折射性等优点。但是镉、砷、铅均为有毒元素,玻璃加工和处理过程以及毒废弃物的处理都可能引起水、土壤、大气的污染并给人体带来一定的危害     

Human albumin as a reference material for trace elements

Summary An investigation through interlaboratory comparison using different analytical techniques has been carried out in order to assess the suitability of a plasma protein solution as a source for a trace element reference material in clinical analysis. Reasonable agreement was obtained for a number of elements from the range studied: Al, Ba, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se, Sr, V and Zn. The techniques used included flame and furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS and ETA-AAS), furnace atomic emission spectrometry (ETA-AES), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and simultaneous multi-element atomic absorption spectrometry (SIMAAC). Results indicated that this plasma protein solution may prove useful as a source for a reference material covering trace element levels outwith the range found in normal human plasma.

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Humanalbumin als Referenzmaterial für Spurenelemente

     

土壤中铅的分析方法比对

对不同的样品消解方法及电感耦合等离子体质谱、电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱、石墨炉原子吸收光谱法测定土壤中铅的测定结果进行比对。采用电热板、微波及水浴3种加热方式,选择硝酸、氢氟酸、双氧水、王水、高氯酸、盐酸的不同组合进行土壤样品消解,通过分析测定值的精密度和准确度,考察消解体系对电感耦合等离子体质谱、电感耦合等离子体发射光谱、石墨炉原子吸收光谱法测定结果的影响。结果表明采用电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定土壤中的铅,最适宜的消解体系是硝酸-氢氟酸-高氯酸(微波加热),采用电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法测定最适宜的消解体系是硝酸(电热板加热),采用石墨炉原子吸收光谱法测定最适宜的消解体系是硝酸-盐酸-高氯酸(微波加热)。电感耦合等离子体质谱法的精密度和准确度优于另外两种方法。     

萤石成分分析方法的标准现状与研究进展

萤石是一种重要的战略性非金属矿产资源,本文对中国国家标准、行业标准、国际标准（ISO）、美国标准（ASTM）以及俄罗斯标准（GOST）中的萤石成分分析标准方法的现状进行了介绍。对近年来X射线荧光光谱法（XRF）、电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法（ICP-AES）、电感耦合等离子体质谱法（ICP-MS）、激光诱导击穿光谱法（LIBS）等技术在萤石成分分析中的应用以及标准物质/标准样品研制情况进行了总结和评述。文章认为,萤石分析测试技术标准体系相对完备,XRF、ICP-AES、ICP-MS等仪器分析测试技术已普遍应用于萤石样品实验室分析,建议尽快研究并建立萤石中稀土等微量元素测定的标准方法,并开展相应标准物质/标准样品的研制,同时应大力开展原位在线分析技术的研究与开发,以适应工业在线自动化监测的需求,LIBS与在线XRF技术联合在萤石在线分析方面具有良好的应用潜力。     

ICP-AES versus (LA-)IPC-MS: Competition or a happy marriage? – A view supported by current data

An assessment of the practical implementation of several spectroscopic analysis methods in the analytical service department of the reserach laboratory of a large electronic industry is provided. The emphasis is on inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The evolution of these methods in the department in recent years and their present position in the light of the analysis requests is introductory discussed. A “preview” assessment of the methods in terms of their strong and weak points then forms the basis for a subsequent discussion in which representative examples are used to illustrate in detail why in a particular situation a particular method is applied as the preferred one. It is concluded that ICP-AES is the most rugged and flexible, and therefore the most often applied method, while ICP-MS is uniquely suitable for ultra-trace and survey analysis of solutions and LA-ICP-MS is uniquely suitable for direct solids and local analysis. The ultimate conclusion is that neither of the three methods alone can answer all the analytical questions: they supplement and complement each other, and may even require supplementation by classical analytical methods.     

Determination of Titanium in Nano-Titanium(IV) Oxide Composite Food Packaging by Microwave Digestion and Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

Titanium was determined in nano-titanium(IV) oxide food packaging by microwave digestion with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Microwave digestion was optimized using different acid combinations. Both spectrometry techniques showed good reproducibility, repeatability, and recovery. For ICP-AES, the limit of detection was 5.0 mg kg^?1, the linear dynamic range was 100–5000 µ g L^?1, the average recoveries for blank samples spiked with titanium were between 94.7% and 100.1%, and the relative standard deviations were from 2.1% to 7.1%. By ICP-MS, the limit of detection was 0.3 mg kg^?1, the linear dynamic range was 0.5–200 µ g L^?1, the recoveries were 88.4%–96.3%, and the relative standard deviations were 6.3%–7.4%. These results indicated that methods were effective for the determination of titanium in food packaging.     

Application of a microwave-based desolvation system for multi-elemental analysis of wine by inductively coupled plasma based techniques

Elemental wine analysis is often required from a nutritional, toxicological, origin and authenticity point of view. Inductively coupled plasma based techniques are usually employed for this analysis because of their multi-elemental capabilities and good limits of detection. However, the accurate analysis of wine samples strongly depends on their matrix composition (i.e. salts, ethanol, organic acids) since they lead to both spectral and non-spectral interferences. To mitigate ethanol (up to 10% w/w) related matrix effects in inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), a microwave-based desolvation system (MWDS) can be successfully employed. This finding suggests that the MWDS could be employed for elemental wine analysis. The goal of this work is to evaluate the applicability of the MWDS for elemental wine analysis in ICP-AES and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). For the sake of comparison a conventional sample introduction system (i.e. pneumatic nebulizer attached to a spray chamber) was employed. Matrix effects, precision, accuracy and analysis throughput have been selected as comparison criteria. For ICP-AES measurements, wine samples can be directly analyzed without any sample treatment (i.e. sample dilution or digestion) using pure aqueous standards although internal standardization (IS) (i.e. Sc) is required. The behaviour of the MWDS operating with organic solutions in ICP-MS has been characterized for the first time. In this technique the MWDS has shown its efficiency to mitigate ethanol related matrix effects up to concentrations of 1% (w/w). Therefore, wine samples must be diluted to reduce the ethanol concentration up to this value. The results obtained have shown that the MWDS is a powerful device for the elemental analysis of wine samples in both ICP-AES and ICP-MS. In general, the MWDS has some attractive advantages for elemental wine analysis when compared to a conventional sample introduction system such as: (i) higher detection capabilities; (ii) lower ethanol matrix effects; and (iii) lower spectral interferences (i.e. ArC(+)) in ICP-MS.