The analysis of archaeological glass by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy

Summary An analytical procedure is described for the analysis of archaeological glass by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Glass samples were analysed in solution after fusion with lithium metaborate at 1100°C. The analyses were performed in the sequential multielemental mode of operation, with the determination of 15 elements in four analytical runs; only elements with not too large concentration difference were analysed in a single run. The following elements were accounted for: Si, Na, Ca, Al, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ti, Sr, Ba, Cr, Ni, Cu, Co, Pb.     

Trace analysis of high-purity graphite by LA-ICP-MS

Laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) has been established as a very efficient and sensitive technique for the direct analysis of solids. In this work the capability of LA-ICP-MS was investigated for determination of trace elements in high-purity graphite. Synthetic laboratory standards with a graphite matrix were prepared for the purpose of quantifying the analytical results. Doped trace elements, concentration 0.5 microg g(-1), in a laboratory standard were determined with an accuracy of 1% to +/- 7% and a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 2-13%. Solution-based calibration was also used for quantitative analysis of high-purity graphite. It was found that such calibration led to analytical results for trace-element determination in graphite with accuracy similar to that obtained by use of synthetic laboratory standards for quantification of analytical results. Results from quantitative determination of trace impurities in a real reactor-graphite sample, using both quantification approaches, were in good agreement. Detection limits for all elements of interest were determined in the low ng g(-1) concentration range. Improvement of detection limits by a factor of 10 was achieved for analyses of high-purity graphite with LA-ICP-MS under wet plasma conditions, because the lower background signal and increased element sensitivity.     

Trace element analysis of archaeological materials and the use of pattern recognition methods to establish identity

Trace elements were determined in South West African potsherds by instrumental NAA and by PIXE. The elements for which the relative spread of concentrations were greatest were selected as indicators. From these the methods of the Minimal Spanning Tree and of Nonlinear Mapping were used to classify about 60 specimens. Groups were tested by concentration, sum of concentration and normalized concentration indices. Similar groupings were obtained irrespective of which analytical data or mathematical techniques was used.     

稳健线性回归法探讨分析精度与浓度之间的关系

研究分析精度与浓度之间的关系对于分析温度的质量控制具有重要意义。本文以土壤及水系沉积中微量元素为例,研究了不同实验室之间分析精度与被测组分浓度之间的关系。应用重新加权迭代最小二乘法（ＩＲＬＳ）成功地对分析结果的标准偏差与含量之间的关系进行了线性拟合,表明线性关系良好,与经典最小二乘法比较发现,ＩＲＬＳ法具有很好的稳健性,受离群值的影响小,回归结果也更符合实际。     

Three trace-element geological materials certified as a result of a co-operative investigation

The results of a Nordic analytical trace-element study of three geological samples are given. Recommended concentration values for 27 trace elements and 14 main elements have been arrived at by the analysts in the course of several round-table conferences. The samples are now available as reference materials, for other analytical laboratories.     

电感耦合等离子体光谱/质谱联机同时测定多金属结核中常量、微量、痕量元素

采用电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)与等离子体光谱(ICP-OES)联机同时测定多金属结核样品中常量、微量、痕量元素。样品经高压密封溶样弹消解后,一次气动雾化进样,ICP-OES测定常量和微量元素,ICP-MS测定微量和痕量元素。详细探讨了不同浓度范围元素的测定方式、元素分析信号的采集模式、多原子离子干扰的校正因子。采用ICP-MS与ICP-OES二种方式同时测定Co、Cu、Ni、Zn、V、Ba、Sr,分析结果表明具有较好的一致性。所建立的ICP-MS与ICP-OES联机检测技术用于多金属结核标准样品的分析(Nod-A-1,GSPN-1,GSPN-2,GSPN-3),分析结果与推荐值符合,相对标准偏差小于10％。     

ICP-MS Determination of 23 Elements of Potential Health Concern in Liquids of e-Cigarettes. Method Development,Validation, and Application to 37 Real Samples

The lack of interest in the determination of toxic elements in liquids for electronic cigarettes (e-liquids) has so far been reflected in the scarce number of accurate and validated analytical methods devoted to this aim. Since the strong matrix effects observed for e-liquids constitute an exciting analytical challenge, the main goal of this study was to develop and validate an ICP-MS method aimed to quantify 23 elements in 37 e-liquids of different flavors. Great attention has been paid to the critical phases of sample pre-treatment, as well as to the optimization of the ICP-MS conditions for each element and of the quantification. All samples exhibited a very low amount of the elements under investigation. Indeed, the sum of their average concentration was of ca. 0.6 mg kg⁻¹. Toxic elements were always below a few tens of a μg per kg⁻¹ and, very often, their amount was below the relevant quantification limits. Tobacco and tonic flavors showed the highest and the lowest concentration of elements, respectively. The most abundant elements came frequently from propylene glycol and vegetal glycerin, as confirmed by PCA. A proper choice of these substances could further decrease the elemental concentration in e-liquids, which are probably barely involved as potential sources of toxic elements inhaled by vapers.     

Comparison of NAA and ICP-MS for the determination of major and trace elements in environmental sample

Summary Major and trace elements in soil and plant samples, including standard reference materials were determined by means of neutron activation analysis (NAA) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The analytical procedure for NAA utilized dried powder samples. The concentration of iodine in soil samples was determined by radiochemical NAA. The irradiated samples were cooled and then counted with a Ge gamma-ray detector connected to a multi-channel analyzer. For ICP-MS analysis, the samples were decomposed by microwave digestion with an acid mixture. The concentration of I in the soil samples was measured by ICP-MS after separation by ignition. The analytical values for most elements in the environmental samples by both methods were in good agreement, whereas sample treatments were different. Measured value of Zr in the soil samples by ICP-MS was about 50% lower than that by NAA. It should be assumed that some minerals of Zr in soil particles were not entirely dissolved by the acid mixture. Analytical results of Cd for three different Cd levels in unpolished rice flour samples (NIES 10-a, b and c) determined by ICP-MS were in agreement with certified values. The concentration of Cd in the sample with the lowest Cd level, as determined by NAA with 57% counting error, was 3 times higher than the certified value.     

X射线荧光光谱熔融法测定锶永磁铁氧体中各组分含量

本文使用自制标准样品,采用混合熔剂熔融样品,用X射线荧光光谱法(XRF)测定锶永磁铁氧体半成品中Fe,Sr,Si等元素的含量.熔融制样有效地消除了矿物效应,并降低了基体效应的影响.实验结果表明,本法准确度高,重现性好,平行测定11次相对标准偏差(RSD)可达到0.1%.该方法用于实际样品分析,其结果与传统化学分析方法结...     

Trace analysis of high-purity graphite by LA–ICP–MS

Laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) has been established as a very efficient and sensitive technique for the direct analysis of solids. In this work the capability of LA–ICP–MS was investigated for determination of trace elements in high-purity graphite. Synthetic laboratory standards with a graphite matrix were prepared for the purpose of quantifying the analytical results. Doped trace elements, concentration 0.5 μg g^–1, in a laboratory standard were determined with an accuracy of 1% to ± 7% and a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 2–13%. Solution-based calibration was also used for quantitative analysis of high-purity graphite. It was found that such calibration led to analytical results for trace-element determination in graphite with accuracy similar to that obtained by use of synthetic laboratory standards for quantification of analytical results. Results from quantitative determination of trace impurities in a real reactor-graphite sample, using both quantification approaches, were in good agreement. Detection limits for all elements of interest were determined in the low ng g^–1 concentration range. Improvement of detection limits by a factor of 10 was achieved for analyses of high-purity graphite with LA–ICP–MS under wet plasma conditions, because the lower background signal and increased element sensitivity. Received: 4 January 2001 / Revised: 27 March 2001 / Accepted: 28 March 2001     

Application of INAA and XRFA in a comparative environmental study

Environmental monitoring requires reliable and effective analytical techniques for widely different concentration ranges. Two such methods (INAA and XRFA) were applied in a comparative environmental study on air dust filters and grass. The samples were collected during one year at two locations (near Bucharest/Romania and near Stuttgart/Germany) with different levels of air pollution. Seventeen environmentally relevant elements (As, Ba, Br, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Ni, Pb, S, Sb, Se, V, Zn) were determined. The aim was to test the suitability of INAA and XRFA methods for different elements in these kinds of samplesaat realistical pollution levels. The results were statistically compared for 13 elements, which were determined by both analytical techniques. They were also used to characterize the air pollution level and its variation at the two locations, and to compare them. Generally, concentrations in air of the elements studied are higher in Bucharest than in Stuttgart.     

Certification of trace and major elements and methylmercury concentrations in a macroalgae (Fucus sp.) reference material, IAEA-140

A marine reference material, IAEA-140, prepared with a macroalgae (Fucus sp.) was recently produced by the International Atomic Energy Agency and certified for trace and major elements and for methylmercury (MeHg). Certification of this material was achieved as an outcome of an international analytical intercomparison study which resulted in 116 independent sets of results reported by participants from 54 countries. The statistical evaluation of the collected data and the criteria used for assignment of the mean and uncertainty values are described. The analysis of data allowed to certify concentration values for 24 elements and MeHg, and to provide information values for another 10 elements. Regarding the elements which could be given certified values, between two and eight different instrumental methods were used to measure metal concentrations, and four independent analytical procedures were used to measure MeHg concentrations. In order to assess the results of the certification procedure, a comparison was made between the certified values obtained from the world-wide intercomparison results and the values obtained from a small subgroup of well-qualified laboratories. The means and 95% confidence intervals for reference values obtained by the two methods are similar for most elements showing that the usual method of certification used by the IAEA, based on large groups of participants, is indeed pertinent.     

Investigation on the relationship between analytical precision and concentration with iteratively reweighted least-squares linear regression method

It is very important to investigate the relationship between analytical precision and concentration for quality control and assessment of analytical results. A set of analytical data of trace elements in soil and water deposits (Chinese certified reference materials) was studied for the relationship between the analytical precision of collaboration trials (i.e. reproducibility) and the concentration of the analytes. Iteratively reweighted least-squares (IRLS) linear regression, a robust method, was employed in this study. The linear relationship between the standard deviation and concentration was successfully established. On comparison with the conventional least-squares (LS) method , the results of IRLS linear regression are superior to those of LS.     

Possibilities and limitations of the total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for the determination of low Z elements in biological samples

The analytical capability of the laboratory scale vacuum total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectrometer (Wobistrax) was studied for the determination of the Z elements (Na, Mg, P, S, K and Ca) in different biological matrices represented by the following certified reference materials: MURST-ISS-A2 Antarctic krill, IAEA-331 spinach, NIST 1577a bovine liver, and SERONORM™ Trace Elements Serum Level 1.First, the stability of the response factors (relative sensitivity) against Ti internal standard was checked in the concentration range of 1 to 1000 mg/L in a diluted nitric acid matrix. It has been found that the upper limit of the analytical concentration range for K and Ca can be as high as 1000 mg/L; on the other hand, the remaining elements cannot be determined above a concentration of some tens mg/L.The established response factors were used for the elemental analysis of the four certified reference materials after normal-volume microwave assisted acid digestion. In the case of the serum sample, different preparation methods were compared as follow: direct analysis, microwave assisted acid digestion in normal-volume and micro-vessels, as well as the vapor-phase digestion directly on the TXRF carrier plates.On the basis of the results, the normal-volume digestion results in rather high dilution of the samples; thus, elements at low concentration could not be detected in some of the samples. On the other hand, this method offers the highest rate of both organic matrix decomposition and inorganic matrix dilution; thus, the background and the standard deviation of the results were the lowest. In general, this method was found to be useful for the analysis of samples with high dissolved (organic + inorganic) content if the analytes are present at a concentration considerable above the quantification limit.In the case of the microscale and the vapor-phase digestion, both the organic and inorganic matters remain at elevated concentration; thus, higher background and self-absorption of the fluorescent radiation occurred, deteriorating the analytical performance.     

Neutron activation analysis of trace elements in sea water samples (author's transl)

Analytical values of trace elements in sea water samples have been fluctuated according to the sampling locations, the analytical procedures and so on. It is very important in marine chemistry to elucidate the cause of such concentration variations. This report is the analytical results of the samples obtained in the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the Sea of Japan, by means of neutron activation analysis. As the preconcentration, APDC-chelate extraction and freeze-drying were adopted. The specimens obtained by this extraction from 500 or 800 ml samples were irradiated by KUR reactor for 1 min, 1 hr to 10 hrs and the gamma-ray spectrometry with a Ge(Li) detector was used for the determination of V, Mn, Cu, Zn, U, Fe, Co, Ni, Ag, Sb and Au. By about 80 hrs irradiation of the specimens obtained by freeze-drying from 20 ml samples and their gamma-ray spectrometry, Sc, Cr, Fe, Co, Zn, Rb, Sr, Ag, Sb and Cs were determined. The former procedure gives concentrations of elements in species reactable with APDC, but the latter method shows entire concentrations of the elements in the sea water samples. Some considerations on the analytical values and the comparisons of the both methods are described.     

Combined application of INAA and PIXE for studying the regional aerosol composition in Southern Africa

As part of the SAFARI-92 biomass buming experiment, aerosol collections were carried out with several size-fractionating sampling devices at a number of sites in Southern Africa. One of the samplers used at all ground-based sites was a stacked filter unit (SFU). The SFU samples were analyzed by both INAA and PIXE analysis. The present paper gives an intercomparison of the analytical results obtained in order to assess the accuracy and to check the quality assurance of the analytical procedures. Twenty-one common elements were determined by both INAA and PIXE. Concentrations of 13 elements (i.e., Na, Mg, Al, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Zn and Br) were generally measured with sufficient precision in both techniques for performing the intercomparison. The INAA and PIXE data were compared in terms of PIXE/INAA concentration ratios on a sample by sample basis for the coarse and fine size fraction separately. the atmospheric concentrations for K, Mn and Fe agreed within 5–10%, the agreement between the data for the other common elements was typically better than 15%. Possible explanations for lower than 1.0 ratios for Cl, Br and Na are presented. The common elements were classified into groups according to their detectability and sensitivity in each technique.     

Optimization of the conditions of sorption recovery and concentration of noble metals on anion exchangers and their subsequent determination in geochemical objects by atomic-emission spectroscopy

Sorption of Au(III), Pt(IV), Pd(II), and Rh(III) ions on ANS-80, AN-108-4 macrocellular anion exchangers and on AV-17-10P macroporous anion exchanger from hydrogen chloride media was studied in relation to HCl concentration and time. The residual concentration of matrix elements in analytical concentrates of a real object was determined and their influence on the delivery of vapors of noble metals into the cloud of the arc discharge and on their excitation in the discharge was revealed. The conditions of recovery, concentration, and atomic-emission determination of noble metals were examined. The effect of matrix elements, combined with a number of supports (NaCl, CdO, TeO₃, Sb₂O₃), on the amplitude of analytical signals was evaluated.     

Certification of trace and major elements and methylmercury concentrations in a macroalgae (Fucus sp.) reference material, IAEA-140

A marine reference material, IAEA-140, prepared with a macroalgae (Fucus sp.) was recently produced by the International Atomic Energy Agency and certified for trace and major elements and for methylmercury (MeHg). Certification of this material was achieved as an outcome of an international analytical intercomparison study which resulted in 116 independent sets of results reported by participants from 54 countries. The statistical evaluation of the collected data and the criteria used for assignment of the mean and uncertainty values are described. The analysis of data allowed to certify concentration values for 24 elements and MeHg, and to provide information values for another 10 elements. Regarding the elements which could be given certified values, between two and eight different instrumental methods were used to measure metal concentrations, and four independent analytical procedures were used to measure MeHg concentrations. In order to assess the results of the certification procedure, a comparison was made between the certified values obtained from the world-wide intercomparison results and the values obtained from a small subgroup of well-qualified laboratories. The means and 95% confidence intervals for reference values obtained by the two methods are similar for most elements showing that the usual method of certification used by the IAEA, based on large groups of participants, is indeed pertinent.     

Surface analysis of semiconductors with SIMS

Characterization of semiconductor devices or materials is one of the most demanding tasks for analytical chemistry because the dopant elements which have to be determined are distributed within a thin surface layer. Their distribution has to be characterized with a spatial (depth) resolution of a few nanometers and high analytical accuracy. Since the local concentration of these dopant elements ranges from several percent to less than 1 ng g^?1, only those methods with the highest detection power can be successfully used. Secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) has emerged in the last few years as the most powerful analytical technique due to new instrumental and methodological developments.     

电荷注入检测器电感耦合等离子体光谱仪的稀土元素分析性能

研究了电荷注入检测器电感耦合等离子体发射光谱（ＣＩＤ－ＩＣＰＥＳ）测定稀土元素的分析性能。结果表明,在稀土元素常用谱线波段内（２６０～４４０ｎｍ）光谱背影发射强度低于４０ＣＰＳ（计数／秒）,ＲＳＤ〈０．６％。研究了谱线强度和相对标准偏差的关系,当谱线强度高于５ＣＰＳ时,对于任何稀土元素谱线的ＲＳＤ均低于０．６％。谱线强度降低时,ＲＳＤ逐渐增大。文中给出了稀土元素常用分析谱线的强度值、线背比、背影等