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.     

Possibilities and limits of the simultaneous determination of As, Bi, Ge, Sb, Se, and Sn by flow injection-hydride generation-inductively coupled plasma-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (FI-HG-ICP-TOFMS)

A simultaneous multi-elemental measurement of As, Bi, Ge, Sb, Se, and Sn was performed in this study by flow injection-hydride generation-inductively coupled plasma-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (FI-HG-ICP-TOFMS). An off-line pre-reduction treatment using a solution of 5% (m/v) KI and ascorbic acid for 15 min at 80 °C is described by presenting its advantages and disadvantages and compared with the results achieved without pre-reduction. Using optimised conditions the following figures of merit were achieved: limits of detection in the 0.08-0.54 ng ml⁻¹ range and relative standard deviations (RSD) of 1.7-6.7%, respectively. Applying the presented method, two certified reference materials (NIST 1643d freshwater and PACS-2 marine sediment) were analysed to demonstrate the suitability of the method for analysis of real samples. Results obtained from treated samples showed good agreement with certified values while the untreated ones considerably departed from them.     

Slurry sampling flow injection chemical vapor generation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the determination of trace Ge,As, Cd,Sb, Hg and Bi in cosmetic lotions

A slurry sampling inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method has been developed for the determination of Ge, As, Cd, Sb, Hg and Bi in cosmetic lotions using flow injection (FI) vapor generation (VG) as the sample introduction system. A slurry containing 2% m/v lotion, 2% m/v thiourea, 0.05% m/v l-cysteine, 0.5 μg mL⁻¹ Co(II), 0.1% m/v Triton X-100 and 1.2% v/v HCl was injected into a VG-ICP-MS system for the determination of Ge, As, Cd, Sb, Hg and Bi without dissolution and mineralization. Because the sensitivities of the analytes in the slurry and that of aqueous solution were quite different, an isotope dilution method and a standard addition method were used for the determination. This method has been validated by the determination of Ge, As, Cd, Sb, Hg and Bi in GBW09305 Cosmetic (Cream) reference material. The method was also applied for the determination of Ge, As, Cd, Sb, Hg and Bi in three cosmetic lotion samples obtained locally. The analysis results of the reference material agreed with the certified value and/or ETV-ICP-MS results. The detection limit estimated from the standard addition curve was 0.025, 0.1, 0.2, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.03 ng  g⁻¹ for Ge, As, Cd, Sb, Hg and Bi, respectively, in original cosmetic lotion sample.     

Optimization of selenium determination in plant samples by hydride generation and axial view inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

The use of hydride generation coupled with axial view inductively couple plasma atomic emission spectrometry was presented for the determination of selenium in plant samples. The chemical factors affecting potentially the hydride generation efficiency (hydrochloric acid, sodium borohydride and sodium hydroxide concentrations) were assessed through investigation of chemical interference, accuracy and repeatability. The accuracy of measurements was not affected by elements present in high concentration in the plant matrix (K, Ca, Mg, and P). No interference was also observed with transition metals. Using a real sample (maize) with standard additions, decreases of recoveries were sometimes observed for 0.1% (m/v) NaOH, and attained 13.8% in the most unfavourable case. The final accuracy of the method was verified by using two certified reference materials: CRM 402 (white clover) and CRM 279 (sea lettuce). No statistically significant differences were obtained between the measured concentrations and the certified values. The optimized method was found sensitive (detection limit 0.15 μg l⁻¹), reliable and repeatable (R.S.D. between 1.3% and 4.0%).     

Determination of tin in soil by continuous hydride generation and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A method was investigated for the determination of Sn in soil samples by KOH fusion followed by continuous hydride generation coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HG-ICP-MS). Sample solutions in 3.0 M HCl were mixed in line with a solution of 2.4% NaBH₄ and 0.25 M KOH to generate stannane gas. The mixture was delivered continuously to a gas/liquid separator and the stannane gas was introduced into a Perkin-Elmer Sciex Elan 6000 ICP-MS for concentration measurements. A method detection limit of 0.45 mg/kg was sufficient for Sn levels commonly found in soil samples. Sn concentrations as low as 2.5 mg/kg were reproducibly measured in soil samples. Sample results by HG-ICP-MS agreed within ±17% relative difference to results by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and within ±6% relative difference to results by KOH fusion followed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES).     

流动注射-氢化物发生-电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法测定矿石中的砷、锑、铋

本文将流动注射-氢化物-ICP/AES 技术应用于矿石中痕量砷、锑、铋的测定。结果表明,本法具有分析速度快(60样/小时),灵敏度高(As、Sb、Bi 的测定下限达μg/g 级),精度好及操作简便等优点。     

Determination of trace lead by hydride generation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

A newly developed hydride generation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (HG-ICP-MS) system was employed to determine trace amounts of lead in geological and biological samples. Laboratory-made single-stage and double-stage gas-liquid separators (GLSs) were investigated in order to replace the consumable membrane-GLS. Possible reasons were given why double-stage GLSs were superior over the single-stage ones according to the factors such as GLS volume and configuration, carrier gas inlet mode and flow rate. Interferences in liquid and vapor phase from concomitant ions and their products were investigated employing different flow mani-folds. Memory effects contributed to the blank values, but could be reduced employing a special wash protocol. Internal and external standardization were combined to improve the accuracy of the method, with bismuth as the internal standard according to its similarity with lead in the HG-ICP-MS system. Compared with ICP-MS and hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS) methods, the system performance of HG-ICP-MS was characterized with improved detection limit to 0.002 ng/ml and acceptable short- and long-term stabilities. The linear dynamic range of this method was up to 50 ng/ml lead. Three Chinese national certified reference materials: poplar leaves, human hair and copper ore, were analyzed for method validation, and the results agreed well with the certified values. At last, the method was also employed to determine wide range of lead concentrations in lightweight limestone and nervous tissue samples from infants of albino rats with recoveries between 95 and 105% (n=10).     

激光烧蚀-电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定塑料中的Pb、Cd、Cr和Hg

采用激光烧蚀固体进样技术的电感耦合等离子体质谱法(LA-ICP-MS)测定了塑料中的Pb、Cd、Cr和Hg。选择了线扫描激光烧蚀方式,并从灵敏度和稳定性角度优化了工作参数。根据计算分馏因子考察了分馏效应,结果表明,所测元素分馏效应小。塑料中Hg的记忆效应严重,认为主要来自样品表面吸附,减小样品的表面积可减小Hg的记忆效应。以聚丙烯标准物质及其空白片作校准曲线,应用于ABS、PPS、PA66+30%GF、PVC、PTFE等实际塑料样品的测定,测定结果与ICP-OES(XRF)法测定值基本吻合。Pb、Cd、Cr和Hg的检测下限分别为0.002、0.001、0.08和1.5 mg/kg。     

HG-ICP-MS法测定纯镍中痕量As、Sb、Bi、Se、Te、Sn

应用本实验室设计的雾室座作为接口，采用气动型流动注射氢化物发生(HG)装置与电感耦合等离子体质谱仪(ICP-MS)联机。考察了各种介质条件及镍基体对生成氢化物的影响并应用氢氧化镧共沉淀分离富集，HG与ICP-MS联机测定纯镍中易于生成氢化物的As、Sb、Bi、Se、Te、Sn 6个元素，加标回收率为96．5％-102．2％，RSD为2．4％-5．8％，方法检出限为7．1-30ng／L。     

Determination of mercurial species in fish by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with anion exchange chromatographic separation

This work demonstrated the feasibility of mercury speciation analysis by anion exchange chromatographic separation with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry detection. For the first time, by complexing with the mobile phase containing 3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonate into negatively charged complexes, fast separation of inorganic mercury (Hg²⁺), monomethylmercury (MeHg), ethylmercury (EtHg) and phenylmercury (PhHg) was achieved within 5 min on a 12.5-mm strong anion exchange column. The detection limits for Hg²⁺, MeHg, EtHg and PhHg were 0.008, 0.024, 0.029 and 0.034 μg L⁻¹, respectively. The relative standard deviations of peak height and peak area (5.0 μg L⁻¹ for each Hg species) were all below 3%. The determined contents of Hg²⁺, MeHg and total Hg in a certified reference material of fish tissue by the proposed method were in good accordance with the certified values with satisfactory recoveries. The relative errors for determining MeHg and total mercury were −2.4% and −1.2%, respectively, with an acceptable range for spike recoveries of 94–101%. Mercury speciation in 11 fish samples were then analyzed after the pretreated procedure. The mercury contents in all fish samples analyzed were found compliant with the criteria of the National Standards of China.     

Ultratrace-level radium-226 determination in seawater samples by isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

An improved and novel sample preparation method for ²²⁶Ra determination in liquid samples by isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry using laboratory-prepared ²²⁸Ra tracer has been developed. The procedure involves a selective preconcentration achieved by applying laboratory-prepared MnO₂ resin followed by cation exchange chromatographic separation. In order to completely eliminate possible molecular interferences, medium mass resolution (R = 4,000) combined with chemical separation was found to be a good compromise that enhanced the reliability of the method. The detection limit of 0.084 fg g⁻¹ (3.1 mBq kg⁻¹) achieved is comparable to that of the emanation method or alpha spectrometry and is suitable for low-level environmental measurements. The chemical recovery of the sample preparation method ranged from 72 to 94%. The proposed method enables a rapid, accurate and less labor-intensive approach to routine environmental ²²⁶Ra determination than the radioanalytical techniques conventionally applied.     

Determination of Ga, Ge, As, Se and Sb in fly ash samples by ultrasonic slurry sampling electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Ultrasonic slurry sampling electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (USS-ETV-ICP-MS) has been applied to determine Ga, Ge, As, Se and Sb in fly ash samples. The influences of instrument operating conditions and slurry preparation on the ion signals were reported. Pd and ascorbic acid were used as the mixed modifiers to enhance the ion signals. This method has been applied to determine Ga, Ge, As, Se and Sb in NIST SRM 1633a and 1633b coal fly ash reference materials and a fly ash sample collected locally. Since the sensitivities of the elements studied in slurry solution and aqueous solution were different slightly, analyte addition technique was used for the determination of Ga, Ge, As, Se and Sb in these samples. The As and Se analysis results of the reference materials agreed with the certified values. The results for which no certified value was available were also found to be in good agreement between the ETV-ICP-MS results and the reference values. The reference value was obtained by digesting the samples and analyzing the digested sample solutions by pneumatic nebulization Dynamic Reaction Cell™ (DRC) ICP-MS. The method detection limits estimated from analyte addition curves were about 0.23, 0.13, 0.17, 0.25 and 0.11 μg g⁻¹ for Ga, Ge, As, Se and Sb, respectively, in original fly ash samples.     

Direct determination of mercury in cosmetic samples by isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after dissolution with formic acid

A new method was proposed for the accurate determination of mercury in cosmetic samples based on isotopic dilution (ID)-photochemical vapor generation (PVG)-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP MS) measurement. Cosmetic samples were directly dissolved in formic acid solution and subsequently subjected to PVG for the reduction of mercury into vapor species following by ICP MS detection. Therefore, the risks of analyte contamination and loss were avoided. Highly enriched ²⁰¹Hg isotopic spike is added to cosmetics and the isotope ratios of ²⁰¹Hg/²⁰²Hg were measured for the quantitation of mercury. With ID calibration, the influences originating from sample matrixes for the determination of mercury in cosmetic samples have been efficiently eliminated. The effects of several experimental parameters, such as the concentration of the formic acid, and the flow rates of carrier gas and sample were investigated. The method provided good reproducibility and the detection limits were found to be 0.6 pg mL⁻¹. Finally, the developed method was successfully applied for the determination of mercury in six cosmetic samples and a spike test was performed to verify the accuracy of the method.     

Complementary chromatography separation combined with hydride generation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for arsenic speciation in human urine

This study aimed to establish complementary high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods including three modes of separation: ion pairing, cation exchange, and anion exchange chromatography, with detection by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). The ion pairing mode enabled the separation of inorganic arsenate (As(V)), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA(V)), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA(V)). However, the ion pair mode was unable to differentiate inorganic arsenite (As(III)) from arsenobetaine (AsB); instead, cation exchange chromatography was used to isolate and quantify AsB. Anion exchange chromatography was able to speciate all of the aforementioned arsenic species. Potential inaccurate quantification problem with urine sample containing elevated concentration of AsB, which eluted immediately after As(III) in anion exchange or ion pairing mode, was overcame by introducing a post-column hydride generation (HG) derivatization step. Incorporating HG between HPLC and ICPMS improved sensitivity and specificity by differentiating AsB from hydride-forming arsenic species. This paper emphasizes the usefulness of complementary chromatographic separations in combination with HG-ICPMS to quantitatively determine concentrations of As(III), DMA(V), MMA(V), As(V), and AsB in the sub-microgram per liter range in human urine.     

Determination of arsenic in gold by flow injection inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with matrix removal by reductive precipitation

Arsenic was determined in gold by flow injection hydride generation inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry following a batch mode reductive precipitation removal of the interfering gold matrix. A solution of potassium iodide, L-ascorbic acid, and hydrochloric acid was used as the reluctant. The recovery of gold by precipitation and filtration was 99 ± 3%. The detection limit for arsenic in gold was 55 ng g⁻¹ in the solid. The concentration of arsenic that was determined in the Royal Canadian Mint gold sample FAU-10 was 29.7 μg g⁻¹ in the solid; this value was indistinguishable, with 95% confidence, from values determined at the Royal Canadian Mint by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry and by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The standard deviation for four replicate determinations of the arsenic in FAU-10 was 0.972 μg g⁻¹ in the solid.     

Spatially and time-resolved element-specific in situ corrosion investigations with an online hyphenated microcapillary flow injection inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry set-up

A novel technique for in situ spatial, time-resolved element-specific investigations of corrosion processes is developed. The technique is based on an online hyphenation of a specially designed microflow-capillary set-up to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) using flow injection sample introduction. Detailed aspects of the method development, optimization of the sample microflow introduction and flow injection characteristics for the localized corrosion analysis are described. Moreover, specific challenges of the ICP-MS analysis as applied to the analysis of corrosion sample probes, e.g. high matrix load and limited sample volume, are discussed.     

茶叶和蔬菜中铅的同位素稀释电感耦合等离子体质谱的测定

采用同位素稀释电感耦合等离子体质谱(ID-ICP-MS)法测定了铅的含量,通过对茶叶标准物质(GBW-07605)中铅的测定,考察了方法的准确度和精密度,比较了同位素稀释法与普通外标定量法的测定结果。在5mLHNO3～0.5mLHF～1mLH2O2的消解体系中,ID-ICP-MS法测量茶叶中铅的回收率可达97.7%,相对标准偏差(RSD)小于1.2%。实验对市售的12种茶叶和10种蔬菜中Pb进行测定,铅含量符合相应国家标准的样品分别占总样品数的83%和90%。该法适合于植物样品中微量铅的测定。     

电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)法测定锆钛矿中的铪

锆钛矿组成成分复杂,存在耐高温的锆、钛化合物,不易分解,且铪以类质同象进入锆矿物,导致锆钛矿中的铪含量不均,因此完全分解锆钛矿并准确测定其中含量不同的铪成为一个难题。本文建立了碳酸钠-硼砂高温熔融,以178Hf为分析同位素及50 ng/mL185Re为内标,使用电感耦合等离子体质谱法（ICP-MS）测定锆钛矿中铪的新方法,可准确锆钛矿中含量不均的铪。实验研究了锆钛矿成分及其熔融方法,结果表明碳酸钠-硼砂高温熔融效果最好,可完全溶解耐高温难分解的锆钛矿,当碳酸钠-硼砂质量配比为2:1时熔融效果最佳。电感耦合等离子体质谱法具有检出限低、灵敏度高、线性范围宽等优势,可用于测定锆钛矿中含量不均的铪,ICP-MS蠕动泵转速为45 rpm、雾化流量为1.06 L/min时雾化效率最优。在选定的实验条件下,HfO2质谱强度与其质量浓度在0.01～250 ng/mL范围内呈良好的线性关系,相关系数为0.9997,背景等效浓度为0.029 ng/mL,方法检出限为0.0032 ng/mL。按实验方法对中国国家标准物质中的HfO2进行测定,测定值与认定值一致,相对标准偏差在1.6%~3.2%之间。按实验方法对锆钛矿样品中的HfO2进行测定并进行加标回收率实验,测定结果的相对标准偏差（RSDs,n=9）在0.9～3.4%之间,加标回收率在96%～106%之间,满足国家地质矿产行业标准DZ/T 0130—2006的要求。     

The determination of antimony and arsenic concentrations in fly ash by hydride generation inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

Hydride generation inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (HG-ICP-OES) was used in the determination of As and Sb concentrations in fly ash samples. The effect of sample pre-treatment reagents and measurement parameters used for hydride generation was evaluated. Due to memory effects observed, the appropriate read delay time was adjusted to 60 s resulting in RSDs 0.6% and 2.3% for As and Sb, respectively. The most suitable volumes of pre-reduction reagents for 10 mL of sample were 4 mL of KI/ascorbic acid (5%) and 6 mL of HCl (conc.). The determination of Sb was significantly interfered by HF, but the interference could be eliminated by adding 2 mL of saturated boric acid and heating the samples to 60 °C at least 45 min. The accuracy of the method was studied by analyses of SRM 1633b and two fly ash samples with the recovery test of added As and Sb. As high a recovery as 96% for SRM 1633b was reached for As using 193.696 nm with two-step ultrasound-assisted digestion. A recovery rate of 103% was obtained for Sb using 217.582 nm and the pre-reduction method with the addition of 2 mL of saturated boric acid and heating. The quantification limits for the determination of As and Sb in the fly ash samples using two-step ultrasound-assisted digestion followed with HG-ICP-OES were 0.89 and 1.37 mg kg⁻¹, respectively.     

Rapid isolation of plutonium in environmental solid samples using sequential injection anion exchange chromatography followed by detection with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

This paper reports an automated analytical method for rapid determination of plutonium isotopes (²³⁹Pu and ²⁴⁰Pu) in environmental solid extracts. Anion exchange chromatographic columns were incorporated in a sequential injection (SI) system to undertake the automated separation of plutonium from matrix and interfering elements. The analytical results most distinctly demonstrated that the crosslinkage of the anion exchanger is a key parameter controlling the separation efficiency. AG 1-×4 type resin was selected as the most suitable sorbent material for analyte separation. Investigation of column size effect upon the separation efficiency revealed that small-sized (2 mL) columns sufficed to handle up to 50 g of environmental soil samples. Under the optimum conditions, chemical yields of plutonium exceeded 90% and the decontamination factors for uranium, thorium and lead ranged from 10³ to 10⁴. The determination of plutonium isotopes in three standard/certified reference materials (IAEA-375 soil, IAEA-135 sediment and NIST-4359 seaweed) and two reference samples (Irish Sea sediment and Danish soil) revealed a good agreement with reference/certified values. The SI column-separation method is straightforward and less labor intensive as compared with batch-wise anion exchange chromatographic procedures. Besides, the automated method features low consumption of ion-exchanger and reagents for column washing and elution, with the consequent decrease in the generation of acidic waste, thus bearing green chemical credentials.