Accuracy and long-term reproducibility of lead isotopic measurements by multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry using an external method for correction of mass discrimination

The precision of isotopic measurements of Pb by thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) is limited by the fact that this element does not possess an invariant isotope ratio that can be used for the correction of mass fractionation by internal normalization. Multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICPMS) can overcome this limitation, because with plasma ionization, elements with overlapping mass ranges are thought to display identical mass discrimination. With respect to Pb, this can be exploited by the addition of Tl to the sample solutions; the mass discrimination factor obtained for Tl can then be used for the correction of the measured Pb isotope ratios. In this article we present the results of a detailed study that investigates the accuracy and precision of such an external correction technique for mass discrimination based upon the results of multiple analyses of a mixed standard solution of NIST SRM-981 Pb and SRM-997 Tl. Our data indicate that normalization of the Pb isotope ratios to the certified isotopic composition of SRM-997 Tl produces Pb isotopic results that are significantly lower than recently published reference values by TIMS. This systematic offset can be eliminated by renormalization of the Pb data to a different Tl isotopic composition to obtain an empirically determined mass discrimination factor for Pb that generates accurate results. It is furthermore shown that a linear law is least suited for the correction of mass discrimination, whereas a power or exponential law function provide significantly more accurate and precise results. In detail, it appears that a power law may provide the most appropriate correction procedure, because the corrected Pb isotope ratios display less residual correlations with mass discrimination compared to the exponentially corrected data. Using an exponential or power law correction our results, obtained over a period of over seven months, display a precision (2σ) of better than 60 parts per million (ppm) for ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁶Pb and ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb and of better than 350 ppm for ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb. This represents a significant improvement compared to conventional TIMS techniques and demonstrates the potential of MC-ICPMS for routine, high-precision measurements of Pb isotopic compositions.     

Determination of As,Cd, Pb,and Hg in urine using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with the direct injection high efficiency nebulizer

The application of the large-bore direct injection high efficiency nebulizer (LB-DIHEN) for the determination of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) in urine by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is described. The LB-DIHEN is compared with the standard method using a concentric pneumatic nebulizer and cyclonic spray chamber. In addition to the toxicological significance of As, Cd, Pb, and Hg, these elements represent a cross-section of analytical issues including spectral interferences (e.g., ⁴⁰Ar³⁵Cl⁺ on ⁷⁵As⁺ and ⁹⁸Mo¹⁶O⁺ on ¹¹⁴Cd⁺) and memory effects (Hg). In this study, the low sample consumption of the LB-DIHEN is used to reduce the volume of urine needed for analysis, and to reduce the volume of final diluted sample required for analysis. Eliminating the spray chamber and reducing the dead volume of the nebulizer reduces memory effects, especially for analytes such as Hg. The Dynamic Reaction Cell (DRC) is used in this study to attenuate the background level of ArCl⁺ in spite of the increase in the solvent load and, in turn, the urine matrix (chloride) delivered to the plasma by the LB-DIHEN. This is the first report on coupling the LB-DIHEN to a standard autosampler for unattended sample analysis. The robustness of direct injection nebulization for routine analysis and the issues associated with automation of the sample introduction process are discussed. Although the figures of merit (sensitivity, limit of detection, and precision) determined for both nebulizers are slightly poorer for the LB-DIHEN than for the concentric pneumatic nebulizer, there is not a clinically significant difference between the results for both sample introduction systems. The accuracy of results is assessed using archived urine materials that are circulated by several different proficiency testing (PT) programs and external quality assessment schemes (EQAS). Results obtained using the LB-DIHEN were within the acceptable range established by a consensus pool generated using different methods, none of which are likely to be using direct injection nebulization. Internal quality control sample results obtained using the LB-DIHEN were compared to those obtained using the conventional nebulizer. Reported results were similar for both nebulizers. Thus, these results show that the LB-DIHEN is certainly feasible for the analysis of urine specimens.     

电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定黄沙土壤中铅同位素比

用电感耦合等离子体质谱法（ＩＣＰ—ＭＳ）测定了５个黄沙原土样品中铅同位素比２０７Ｐｂ／２０６Ｐｂ、２０８Ｐｂ／２０６Ｐｂ，样品来自被认为是黄沙气溶胶源地区，为了使铅同位素测量中质量偏差和漂移减至最少，在样品中加入了铊标准溶液，测量２０５Ｔｌ／２０３Ｔｌ比，校正质量数差别选择的影响．同时，采用ＩＣＰ—ＭＳ和电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法（ＩＣＰ一ＡｌＳ）测定了随粒径变化样品中１２种元素浓度的变化．     

Elimination of Interferences in the Determination of Arsenic and Determination of Arsenic in Percolate Waters from an Industrial Landfill by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

The determination of arsenic in environmental samples suffers interference by chloride which gives rise to the polyatomic interference of ⁴⁰Ar³⁵Cl on ⁷⁵As. Mathematical correction methods based on the ratios ⁴⁰Ar³⁷ Cl/⁴⁰ Ar³⁵Cl, ³⁵Cl¹⁶O/⁴⁰ Ar³⁵Cl or ³⁷Cl¹⁶O/⁴⁰ Ar³⁵Cl, are discussed and compared with each other. The method is applied for the determination of arsenic in treated percolate water from a landfill where arsenic containing waste is landfilled. The results obtained when applying the different equations were in good agreement with each other. The results for the untreated percolate water, which could be diluted far enough to eliminate matrix effects and showed negligible interference from chloride, were in good agreement with results obtained with Capillary Zone Electrophoresis. Hydride generation made it possible to determine As(III) and by difference As(V) in both waters. 99.7% of the arsenic present in the percolate water was As(V), which means that during the landfilling, possibly by the infiltration of rainwater, the arsenic is oxidised because the original industrial waste contained 100% As(III).     

Trace iodine quantitation in biological samples by mass spectrometric methods: The optimum internal standard

Accurate quantitation of iodine in biological samples is essential for studies of nutrition and medicine, as well as for epidemiological studies for monitoring intake of this essential nutrient. Despite the importance of accurate measurement, a standardized method for iodine analysis of biological samples is yet to be established. We have evaluated the effectiveness of ⁷²Ge, ¹¹⁵In, and ¹²⁹I as internal standards for measurement of iodine in milk and urine samples by induction coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and of ³⁵Cl¹⁸O₄⁻, ¹²⁹I⁻, and 2-chlorobenzenesulfonate (2-CBS) as internal standards for ion chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (IC-MS/MS). We found recovery of iodine to be markedly low when IC-MS/MS was used without an internal standard. Percent recovery was similarly low using ³⁵Cl¹⁸O₄ as an internal standard for milk and unpredictable when used for urine. 2-Chlorobenzebenzenesulfonate provided accurate recovery of iodine from milk, but overestimated iodine in urine samples by as much as a factor of 2. Percent recovery of iodine from milk and urine using ICP-MS without an internal standard was ∼120%. Use of ¹¹⁵In predicted approximately 60% of known values for both milk and urine samples. ⁷²Ge provided reasonable and consistent percent recovery for iodine in milk samples (∼108%) but resulted in ∼80% recovery of iodine from urine. Use of ¹²⁹I as an internal standard resulted in excellent recovery of iodine from both milk and urine samples using either IC-MS/MS and ICP-MS.     

Elimination of chloride interference on arsenic speciation in ion chromatography inductively coupled mass spectrometry using an octopole collision/reaction system

Anion-exchange chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is often used for the speciation of arsenic (As). In this work, either He or H₂ was introduced to the octopole collision/reaction cell to eliminate chloride (Cl⁻) interferences during As speciation by ICP-MS. Polyatomic species, ⁴⁰Ar³⁵Cl and ³⁸Ar³⁷Cl, which are formed in high chloride matrices interfere with the ICP-MS detection of ⁷⁵As. These interferences were reduced or eliminated by introducing He or H₂ to the collision/reaction cell, with some loss in sensitivity when compared to the standard mode (no gas). For example, the sensitivity of As(V) was 30.4 and 17.7% of that observed in standard mode when introducing He and H₂, respectively. Chloride interference was completely eliminated using a flow rate of 3.0 mL min^− 1 with H₂ as a reaction gas with detection limits in the range of 0.3-0.6 μg L^− 1. The developed method was applied to determination of arsenic species in waters containing high concentrations of chloride by following a simple procedure and without modification of the ICP-MS instrument.     

Isotopic precision for a lead species (PbEt4) using capillary gas chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma-multicollector mass spectrometry

Precision and accuracy of lead isotope ratios of a volatile lead species (PbEt₄) were determined by coupling a capillary GC to a magnetic sector multicollector ICP-MS. PbEt₄ was prepared by ethylation of a certified lead isotope solution (NIST SRM 981). Coupling was achieved by a transfer line, which allowed simultaneous introduction of a thallium standard solution to correct for mass discrimination. Seven isotopes (²⁰²Hg, ²⁰³Tl, ²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁵Tl, ²⁰⁶Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb, ²⁰⁸Pb) were monitored simultaneously with a transient resolution of 50 ms. Pb isotope ratios for the PbEt₄ peaks were calculated using transient peak integrals of each isotope signal. Absolute detection limits were 20 (²⁰⁴Pb), 0.7 (²⁰⁶Pb), 1 (²⁰⁷Pb) and 0.3 pg (²⁰⁸Pb). Precision was assessed for five replicate injections of PbEt₄ in iso-octane, corresponding to a total amount of 300 pg of Pb. Precision of isotope ratios for ²⁰⁶Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb were better than 0.07% (RSD), with ratios including ²⁰⁴Pb being one order of magnitude worse. Accuracy using mass bias correction via ²⁰³Tl/²⁰⁵Tl ranged from 0.18% for ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁶Pb to 0.9% for ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb.     

Precise determination of cadmium and lead isotopic compositions in river sediments

A method for the accurate determination of Cd and Pb isotope compositions in sediment samples is presented. Separation of Cd and Pb was designed by using an anionic exchange chromatographic procedure. Measurements of Cd isotopic compositions were carried out by multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MC-ICPMS), by using standard-sample bracketing technology for mass bias correction and Pb isotopic ratios were determined by thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS). The factors that affect the accurate and precise Cd isotope compositions analysis, such as instrumental mass fractionation and isobaric interferences, were carefully evaluated and corrected. The Cd isotopic results were reported relative to an internal Cd solution and expressed as the δ^114/110Cd. Five Cd reference solutions and one Pb standard were repeatedly measured in order to assess the accuracy of the measurements. Uncertainties obtained were estimated to be lesser than 0.11‰ (2s) for the δ^114/110Cd value. Analytical uncertainties in 2s for Pb isotopic ratios were better than 0.5‰. The method has been successfully applied to the investigation of Cd and Pb isotope compositions in sediment samples collected from North River in south China.     

电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定磷矿石中锰、铜、铅、锌、铬、镉

建立了HNO3-HCl O4-HF混合酸溶样,电感耦合等离子体质谱法同时测定磷矿石中的锰、铜、铅、锌、铬和镉等6个微量重金属元素的有效方法.试验中对仪器的最佳工作参数进行了优化,选择适当的同位素,并用铑作内标元素,有效地抑制了分析信号的漂移.在选定的条件下,对样品进行了精密度和回收率试验,方法相对标准偏差(RSD,n=9)为0.99%~1.98%,加标回收率为98.0%~102.0%.     

The development of a method for the determination of trace elements in fuel alcohol by electrothermal vaporization–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry using external calibration

A method for the determination of Ag, As, Cd, Cu, Co, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn and Tl in fuel alcohol by electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry is proposed. The determinations were carried out by external calibration against ethanolic solutions, without a chemical modifier, employing the following pyrolysis and vaporization temperatures: 400 °C and 2300 °C for the more volatile analytes and 1000 °C and 2500 °C for the less volatile analytes. The determination of As, Cd, Pb, Sn and Tl was additionally carried out using Pd as modifier at 800 °C pyrolysis and 2400 °C vaporization temperatures. The temperatures were optimized through pyrolysis and vaporization curves. Seven common fuel ethanol, one fuel ethanol with additive and one anhydrous fuel ethanol sample have been analyzed. The measured concentrations were at the μg L⁻¹ level or lower. Since there is no certified reference material for fuel ethanol, the accuracy of the method was checked by the recovery test, with recoveries from 75% to 124%. The limits of detection (LODs), in μg L⁻¹, and the relative standard deviations for 5 replicates were, for the elements in the conditions without modifier: Ag: 0.015 and 9.1%, Co: 0.002 and 10%, Cu: 0.22 and 6.6%, Fe: 0.72 and 4.3%, Mn: 0.025 and 12%, Ni: 0.026 and 9.3%, and for the elements with Pd: As: 0.02 and 2.9%, Cd: 0.07 and 25%, Pb: 0.02 and 3.1%, Sn: 0.010 and 6.0%, Tl: 0.0008 and 2.5%. Electrothermal vaporization avoids the loading of the plasma with organics, allowing the analysis of fuel ethanol by ICP-MS with good accuracy and reasonable precision.     

Investigations on the direct introduction of cigarette smoke for trace elements analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Direct introduction of mainstream cigarette smoke into an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has been investigated with respect to its feasibility for on-line analysis of trace elements. An automated apparatus was designed and built interfacing a smoking machine with an ICP-MS for smoke generation, collection, injection and analysis. Major and minor elements present in the particulate phase and the gas phase of mainstream cigarette smoke of 2R4F reference cigarettes have been qualitatively identified by examination of their full mass spectra. This method provides a rapid-screening analysis of the transfer of trace elements into mainstream smoke during cigarette combustion. A full suite of elements present in the whole cigarette smoke has been identified, including As, B, Ba, Br, Cd, Cl, Cs, Cu, Hg, I, K, Li, Mn, Na, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sn, Tl and Zn. Of these elements, the major portions of B, Ba, Cs, Cu, K, Li, Mn, Na, Pb, Rb, Sn, Tl and Zn are present in the particulate phase, whereas the major portion of Hg is present in the gas phase. As, Br, Cd, Cl, I and Sb exist in a distribution between the gas phase and the particulate phase. Depending on the element, the precision of measurement ranges from 5 to 25% in terms of relative standard deviation of peak height and peak area, based on the fourth puff of 2R4F mainstream cigarette smoke analyzed in five smoking replicates.     

Vergleichende atomabsorptionsspektrometrische untersuchungen zur elementspurenbestimmung in Urin

When using a direct determination procedure with graphite-furnace a.a.s. (e.t.a.a.s.), it is sufficient to make an addition of nitric acid in order to arrive at the optimal reduction of the spectral background. A “matrix modifier” (NH₄NO₃, (NH₄)₂HPO₄) produces a background which often cannot be compensated completely. Detection limits of the direct determination technique are: Cd 0.1, Co 8, Cu 4, Ni 5, Pb 2 and Tl 3 (μg l^?1). A similar power of detection can be achieved as with flame-a.a.s. due to a preceding preconcentration step (trace adsorption on highly dispersed silicic acid). After preconcentration and determination with e.t.a.a.s., the detection limits are: Cd 0.002, Co 0.1, Cu 0.05, Ni 0.09, Pb 0.09 and Tl 0.06 (μg l^?1). The trace concentrations in urine of healthy persons were found to be: Cd 0.2–0.8, Co ? 0.1, Cu 4–10, Ni 1–3, Pb 6–10 and Tl 0.7–1.3 (μg l^?1). Direct e.t.-a.a.s. is, therefore, found to be suitable for the determination of Cd, Cu and Pb. For the determination of Co, Ni and Tl concentrations, a preconcentration is required. Cobalt was not found in any of the urine samples at the limit of detection of 0.1 μg l^?1.     

The development of a method for the determination of trace elements in fuel alcohol by ETV-ICP-MS using isotope dilution calibration

A method for the determination of Ag, Cd, Cu, Pb and Tl in fuel alcohol by isotope dilution electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ID ETV-ICP-MS) is proposed. The analytes were separated in two groups: Ag and Cu were determined without modifier and Cd, Pb and Tl with the use of Pd as chemical modifier. The employed ETV operational conditions were pyrolysis temperature of 800 °C for Cd, Pb and Tl and of 900 °C for Ag and Cu and vaporization temperature of 2400 °C for both groups. Seven common, one with additive and one anhydrous fuel ethanol samples were analyzed. The spiked and reference isotopes were, respectively, ¹⁰⁹Ag and ¹⁰⁷Ag, ¹¹²Cd and ¹¹¹Cd, ⁶³Cu and ⁶⁵Cu, ²⁰⁶Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb and ²⁰³Tl and ²⁰⁵Tl. The added amounts of the enriched isotope material were the same for all samples: 4.6 ng of ¹⁰⁹Ag, 5 ng of ¹¹²Cd, 21.1 ng of ⁶³Cu, 9 ng of ²⁰⁶Pb and 0.21 ng of ²⁰³Tl. The blank was bi-distilled ethanol, acidified with 0.3% (v/v) nitric acid, as the samples. The limits of detection (LODs) were calculated as three times the standard deviation of the concentrations in the blank (n = 10) and were, in μg L⁻¹, for Ag: 0.02, for Cd: 0.08, for Cu: 0.1, for Pb: 0.05 and for Tl: 0.001. The obtained concentrations in the samples were in agreement with those obtained by external calibration (EC), according to the paired t-test. The isotope dilution (ID) showed to be a robust, fast and simple calibration technique for the analysis of fuel ethanol.     

Trace element analysis in CRM of plant origin by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Three CRMs of plant origin (SRM 1515 Apple Leaves, SRM 1570a Trace Elements in Spinach Leaves, and SRM 1575 Pine Needles) were used for analytical quality assurance of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, and Pb determination by ICP-MS. The samples were decomposed using microwave assisted pressurized digestion by HNO₃ and HNO₃ + H₂O₂ mixture and temperature programmed dry ashing. Concentrations of elements in samples were evaluated by external calibration. All samples, blanks, and standards were spiked to 100 μg/L concentration of In and Bi as internal standards. During the measurement, signals of ⁵²Cr, ⁵³Cr, ⁵⁴Fe, ⁵⁵Mn, ⁵⁹Co, ⁶⁰Ni, ⁶²Ni, ⁶³Cu, ⁶⁵Cu, ⁶⁶Zn, ⁹⁵Mo, ¹¹¹Cd, ¹¹²Cd, ¹¹⁵In, ²⁰⁶Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb, ²⁰⁸Pb and ²⁰⁹Bi were monitored. Results of Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Mo and Co determination were in good agreement with certified values. In order to obtain accurate results for As at low levels, it was necessary to mathematically correct the analytical signal. This correction effectively eliminates the influence of interfering ArCl⁺ ions. For Cr analysis it is advisable to use as powerful oxidizing conditions during sample decomposition as possible.     

Determination of lead,cadmium and thallium by neutron activation analysis in environmental samples

A radiochemical procedure for simultaneous determination of lead (²⁰³Pb), thallium (²⁰²TI) and cadmium (¹¹⁵Cd^115mIn) after fast neutron activation, based on ion-exchange separation from bromide medium and additional purification steps for Pb and Tl is described. Radioactive tracers²¹⁰Pb and¹⁰⁹Cd were used for determination of the chemical yields of Pb and Cd; for Tl it was determined gravimetrically. Two standard reference materials, BCR CRM No. 146 Sewage Sludge and NIST SRM 1633a Coal Fly Ash were analyzed and satisfactory agreement with certified values was obtained.     

Determination of Cd,Hg, Pb and Se in sediments slurries by isotopic dilution calibration ICP-MS after chemical vapor generation using an on-line system or retention in an electrothermal vaporizer treated with iridium

A method for the determination of Cd, Hg, Pb and Se in sediments reference materials by slurry sampling chemical vapor generation (CVG) using isotopic dilution (ID) calibration and detection by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is proposed. Two different systems were used for the investigation: an on-line flow injection system (FI-CVG-ICP-MS) and an off-line system with in situ trapping electrothermal vaporization (CVG-ETV-ICP-MS). About 100 mg of the reference material, ground to a particle size ≤50 μm, was mixed with acid solutions (aqua regia, HF and HCl) in an ultrasonic bath. The enriched isotopes ¹¹¹Cd, ¹⁹⁸Hg, ²⁰⁶Pb and ⁷⁷Se were then added to the slurry in an adequate amount in order to produce an altered isotopic ratio close to 1. For the on-line system, a standing time for the slurry of 12 h before measurement was required, while for the batch system, no standing time is needed to obtain accurate results. The conditions for the formation of the analyte vapor were optimized for the evaluated systems. The following altered isotope ratios were measured: ¹¹¹Cd/¹¹⁴Cd, ¹⁹⁸Hg/¹⁹⁹Hg, ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁸Pb e ⁷⁷Se/⁸²Se. The obtained detection limits in the on-line system, in μg g⁻¹, were: Cd: 0.15; Hg: 0.09; Pb: 6.0 and Se: 0.03. Similar detection limits were obtained with the system that uses the ETV: 0.21 for Hg, 6.0 for Pb and 0.06 μg g⁻¹ for Se. No signal for Cd was obtained in this system. One estuarine, two marine and two river certified sediments were analyzed to check the accuracy. The obtained values by both systems were generally in agreement with the certified concentrations, according to the t-test for a confidence level of 95%, demonstrating that isotope equilibration was attained in the slurries submitted to a chemical vapor generation procedure and detection by ICP-MS. The relative standard deviations were lower than 10%, adequate for slurry analysis. The almost quantitative analytes extractions to the aqueous phase of the slurry must favor equilibration of the added enriched isotope with the isotope in the sample, allowing the use of isotopic dilution calibration for slurry analysis.     

Simultaneous Determination of Cadmium,Lead, Copper,and Thallium in Highly Saline Samples by Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV) Using Mercury‐Film and Bismuth‐Film Electrodes

This paper describes a comparative study of the simultaneous determination of Cd(II), Pb(II), Tl(I), and Cu(II) in highly saline samples (seawater, hydrothermal fluids, and dialysis concentrates) by ASV using the mercury‐film electrode (MFE) and the bismuth‐film electrode (BiFE) as working electrodes. The features of MFE and BiFE as working electrodes for the single‐run ASV determinations are shown and their performances are compared with that of HMDE under similar conditions. It was observed that the stripping peak of Tl(I) was well separated from Cd(II) and Pb(II) peaks in all the studied saline samples when MFE was used. Because of the severe overlapping of Bi(III) and Cu(II) stripping peaks in the ASV using BiFE, as well as the overlapping of Pb(II) and Tl(I) stripping peaks in the ASV using HMDE, the simultaneous determination of these metals was not possible in highly saline medium using these both working electrodes. The detection limits calculated for the metals using MFE and BiFE (deposition time of 60 s) were between 0.043 and 0.070 μg L^?1 for Cd(II), between 0.060 and 0.10 μg L^?1 for Pb(II) and between 0.70 and 8.12 μg L^?1 for Tl(I) in the saline samples studied. The detection limits calculated for Cu(II) using the MFE were 0.15 and 0.50 μg L^?1 in seawater/hydrothermal fluid and dialysis concentrate samples, respectively. The methods were applied to the simultaneous determination of Cd(II), Pb(II), Tl(I), and Cu(II) in samples of seawater, hydrothermal fluids and dialysis concentrates.     

Comparison of analytical methods: ICP-QMS,ICP-SFMS and FF-ET-AAS for the determination of V,Mn, Ni,Cu, As,Sr, Mo,Cd and Pb in ground natural waters

Three analytical methods, namely, inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry (ICP-SFMS); inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry (ICP-QMS) and filter-furnace electrothermal atomic-absorption spectroscopy (FF-ET-AAS) for the determination of V, Mn, Ni, Cu, As, Sr, Mo, Cd and Pb in ground natural water samples were compared and evaluated for their capacity to provide reliable and precise results. Two certified reference materials (SLEW-3 Estuarine Water; SLRS-4 River Water) were analysed to prove that accurate results could be obtained by using all the listed methods with properly optimised parameters. The limit of detection (LOD) for V, Mn, Ni, Cu, As, Sr, Mo, Cd and Pb provided by the ICP-MS methods ranged from 0.001 to 0.05 µg L^?1. Such LOD proved sufficient for the reliable determination of the listed elements in ground natural waters. However, the LOD of the FF-ET-AAS was approximately two orders of magnitude higher than that of ICP-MS, which made it impossible to quantify V, Mn, Ni, Mo and Pb. The effects of the usage of the collision cell mode in ICP-QMS and of the desolvation system Apex for ICP-SFMS to eliminate oxide ions levels were investigated. For all three analytical methods, the influence of the matrix effect on the results of the determination of the investigated elements using matrix model solution, external calibration and standard addition methods was evaluated. A comparison using a paired Student’s t-test between the results obtained by both ICP-MS methods for V, Mn, Ni, Cu, As, Sr, Mo, Cd and Pb concentrations in ground natural waters showed that there was no significant difference on a 95% confidence level. The precision of the results for ICP-SFMS, ICP-QMS and FF-ET-AAS varied between ~0.5 and 11; 2.5 and 12.5; 3 and 13.5%, respectively. Moreover, ICP-SFMS equipped with the desolvation system APEX proved a better choice for As, Cu and Mn analysis due to its better LOD (0.008, 0.03 and 0.02 µg L^?1, respectively) and precision (S_r ≤ 5.0; 7.5; 9.0%, respectively) compared to ICP-QMS and FF-ET-AAS.     

电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定苎麻不同部位的铬、砷、镉、铅4种重金属元素含量

采用硝酸-双氧水-氢氟酸体系对苎麻不同部位样品进行微波消解,通过智能控温加热器赶酸,利用电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)检测苎麻不同部位的铬、砷、镉及铅含量.结果表明:方法操作简便,分析速度快,灵敏度及线性较好,各元素的检出限为~(52)Cr 0.05 mg/kg、~(75)As 0.02 mg/kg、~(111)Cd 0.02 mg/kg、~(208)Pb 0.03 mg/kg,线性范围分别为Cr 0.5~50 mg/kg、As和Cd均为0.1~12.5 mg/kg、Pb 0.2~25 mg/kg.方法精密度和稳定性较好,试验回收率在80.0%~125%之间.初步判断苎麻不同部位4种重金属元素的高低水平,以及苎麻对土壤中的重金属有一定吸附作用.     

On-line Chloride Interference Removal for Arsenic Determination in Waste Water and Urine by ICP-MS Using a Modified Capillary

The determination of arsenic in environmental samples like waste waters from industrial effluents and in biological samples like urine is very important due to the toxic nature of some of its species at moderate levels of exposure. The objective of this study was to evaluate the capability of modified anionic capillaries to remove chloride for ICP-MS determination of arsenic, which causes spectral interference due to formation of 40 Ar 35 Cl + . Also high chloride content gives non-spectral interferences. The results indicate that arsenic at a concentration higher than 1 µg L m 1 in a matrix with a chloride content up to 600 mg L m 1 can be accurately determined using a 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) modified capillary connected to a microconcentric nebuliser (MCN). The interference level of chloride is considerably reduced due to its retention in the capillary. The method has been successfully applied and validated for waste water and by recovery tests for urine (diluted 1 : 15) samples.