A simple co-precipitation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric method for the determination of uranium in seawater

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used in the determination of ²³⁸uranium in seawater after concentration by a simplified co-precipitation with iron hydroxide. Ocean water and reference seawater were used in the study. The co-precipitation method required a smaller sample volume (10 fold less), and less column separation to recover the uranium from the seawater matrix, compared to the original iron hydroxide method. The direct seawater dilution technique requires only a small seawater volume (0.5 mL) and offers a rapid, reliable method for uranium analysis in seawater compared to traditional methods. Comparison of the results for simple co-precipitation, direct dilution of seawater, and theoretical uranium values based on salinity concentrations, yielded negligible differences. Data from this work show that the certified value for NASS-4 is low. Received: 29 February 2000 / Revised: 31 May 2000 / Accepted: 6 June 2000     

A rapid method for uranium isotope ratio measurement by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Uranium isotope ratio U 234/238 can be measured by commercial high-performance inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) with good precision and accuracy (relative standard deviation RSD<2%). The method is based on acquiring the data using a peak jump mode and a collecting signal 10 times longer for low abundance isotopes. Uranium isotope standards U-005 to U-200 from the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) were used for method development. The optimum uranium concentration range for analysis for dissolved samples is from 50 to 200 g l^–1.     

激光剥蚀电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定地质玻璃中铅同位素组成

将193nm准分子纳秒激光与四级杆电感耦合等离子体质谱联用,测量了国际参照物玻璃中Pb同位素丰度比。通过剥蚀NIST612,USGS和MPI-DING玻璃,探讨了利用激光剥蚀电感耦合等离子体质谱直接测定固体样品铅同位素比值的精密度及其适用范围。通过扣除Ar载气中204Hg对204Pb的同量异位素干扰,采用内标法和外标法校正LA-ICP-MS仪器的质量歧视效应,获得的206Pb/204Pb、207Pb/204Pb、208Pb/204Pb同位素比值测量的相对误差小于±1.2%,207Pb/206Pb、208Pb/206Pb同位素比值测定的相对误差小于±0.8%。对比结果表明,采用内标法校正的结果更接近真实值。测定的Pb同位素比值的精密度与样品中Pb含量密切相关,对Pb含量大于40μg/g的样品,同位素比值206Pb/204Pb、207Pb/204Pb、208Pb/204Pb的RSD在1.0%以内,207Pb/206Pb、208Pb/206Pb的RSD在0.5%以内。大气颗粒物样品中Pb含量很高,采用LA-ICP-MS测定Pb同位素比值,能够鉴别污染来源,满足示踪的要求。     

A rapid isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry procedure for uranium bioassay

Negative health effects of uranium taken into the human body are related to both the chemical toxicity of the metal and its radioactivity. A simple and reliable isotope dilution ICP-MS uranium bioassay technique was developed in this study. Use of this technique at Los Alamos National Laboratory has not been previously described. Dilute urine was introduced to a Perkin Elmer DRC II quadrupole ICP-MS via a PFA high solids nebulizer and a PFA cyclonic spray chamber cooled to 2 °C. Urine samples acidified, digested, and diluted 5× generate a solution that is roughly 10% HNO₃ that can be analyzed by ICP-MS to measure uranium concentrations >54 pg/mL and uranium isotopic ratios with high enough precision and accuracy to determine if the uranium in a urine sample is natural. A three-stage rinsing routine is run between each sample to minimize urine salt deposition and uranium memory effects. Regular use of this rinsing routine minimizes instrumental drift and has produced a running ²³⁸U background of <7 cps.     

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.     

Flow-injection technique for determination of uranium and thorium isotopes in urine by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A sensitive and efficient flow-injection (FI) preconcentration and matrix-separation technique coupled to sector field ICP–mass spectrometry (SF-ICP–MS) has been developed and validated for simultaneous determination of ultra-low levels of uranium (U) and thorium (Th) in human urine. The method is based on selective retention of U and Th from a urine matrix, after microwave digestion, on an extraction chromatographic TRU resin, as an alternative to U/TEVA resin, and their subsequent elution with ammonium oxalate. Using a 10 mL sample, the limits of detection achieved for ²³⁸U and ²³²Th were 0.02 and 0.03 ng L^–1, respectively. The accuracy of the method was checked by spike-recovery measurements. Levels of U and Th in human urine were found to be in the ranges 1.86–5.50 and 0.176–2.35 ng L^–1, respectively, well in agreement with levels considered normal for non-occupationally exposed persons. The precision obtained for five replicate measurements of a urine sample was 2 and 3% for U and Th, respectively. The method also enables on-line measurements of the ²³⁵U/²³⁸U isotope ratios in urine. Precision of 0.82–1.04% (RSD) was obtained for ²³⁵U/²³⁸U at low ng L^–1 levels, using the FI transient signal approach.     

Gas chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric detection in speciation analysis

The state-of-the-art of gas chromatography coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (GC-ICP MS) is comprehensively reviewed. Particular attention is given to the recent advances in ICP MS detection including: GC-ICP interface designs; low power plasmas; and alternative mass analyzers (time-of-flight, double-focussing single collector, double-focussing and collision cell single-focussing multicollectors). On the level of sample preparation for speciation analysis by GC-ICP MS, new derivatization reagents and advances in extraction techniques, such as capillary purge-and-trap, solid phase microextraction and stirbar solid phase extraction are discussed. The increasing role of organometallic species labeled with stable isotopes for the detection of sources of errors during sample preparation and for isotope dilution quantification is highlighted. Applications of GC-ICP MS to the analysis of real-world samples are summarized with a focus on the areas which particularly benefit from the high ICP MS detection sensitivity and tolerance to sample matrix.     

Precise determination of dissolved silica in seawater by ion-exclusion chromatography isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Ion exclusion chromatograph (IEC) isotope dilution (ID) inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) (IEC–ID–ICP–MS) was developed for measurement of dissolved silica in seawater, which was applied to production of certified reference materials (CRMs) of three concentration levels of nutrients (high, medium and low levels). IEC–ICP–MS has been employed to separate dissolved silica from seawater matrix. In the present study, in order to solve substantial problems due to spectral interference in ICP–MS and to improve the accuracy of IEC–ICP–MS beyond standard addition or conventional calibration methods, ID method was coupled with ICP-sector field mass spectrometry (operated under medium resolution,i.e., m/Δm = 4000). In addition, effects of various operating parameters in ICP–MS on a silicon background level were also investigated to obtain lower background equivalent concentration (BEC). As a result, 3 ng g⁻¹ of the BEC and 0.5 % of relative standard uncertainties were achieved in the analyses of dissolved silica in seawater samples at concentration levels from 4.0 mg kg ^-1 to 0.8 mg kg⁻¹ as silicon. The developed method was successfully validated by analyses of an artificial seawater containing a known amount of silicate and the seawater certified reference material MOOS-2 produced by the National Research Council Canada.     

Displacement solid-phase extraction on mercapto-functionalized magnetite microspheres for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric determination of trace noble metals

A flow injection online displacement solid-phase extraction (DSPE) via magnetic immobilization of mercapto-functionalized magnetite microspheres onto the inner walls of a knotted reactor (KR) coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was developed for selective preconcentration and determination of trace noble metals (Ru, Rh, Pd, Pt, Ir and Au) in complex matrices. Online DSPE of 2.7 mL aqueous solution gave the enhancement factors of 32-46 for the six noble metals in comparison with direct nebulization of aqueous sample solution, and the detection limits (3 s) of 2.1 ng L(-1) for Ru, 1.9 ng L(-1) for Rh, 2.5 ng L(-1) for Pd, 1.8 ng L(-1) for Ir, 1.9 ng L(-1) for Pt and 1.7 ng L(-1) for Au. The sample throughput of the developed method was about 20 samples h(-1), and the relative standard deviation for eleven replicate determinations of the noble metals at the 30 ng L(-1) level ranged from 1.2% to 2.1%. The recoveries of Ru, Rh, Pd, Pt, Ir and Au still maintained 90% even after successive 140 cycles of DSPE. The developed method was successfully applied to selective determination of trace Ru, Rh, Pd, Pt, Ir and Au in complex matrices.     

Multivariate optimization of photochemical vapor generation for direct determination of arsenic in seawater by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Photochemical vapor generation (PVG) sample introduction coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) is described for the determination of As in seawater. A Plackett–Burman design (PBD) and central composite design (CCD) were employed to evaluate the significance of experimental variables relevant to the optimization of PVG-ICPMS detection. The impact of the saline matrix on the suppression of analyte signal was eliminated by use of a mixture of 20% (v/v) formic and 20% acetic acid (v/v) as the photochemical reductants. Optimized conditions yielded equivalent PVG generation efficiencies for As(III), As(V), monomethylarsonic acids (MMAs) and dimethylarsinic acids (DMAs), permitting direct and rapid determination of total arsenic in seawater without any other sample pre-treatment. Quantitation was accomplished using one point gravimetric standard addition along with a spike of ⁸²Se internal standard to compensate for signal drift and fluctuation during analysis. The resulting method detection limit of 3 pg g⁻¹ (3σ) provided a 15-fold improvement over that obtained using direct solution nebulization, and is comparable to that for conventional chemical hydride generation (HG)-ICPMS. Accuracy was demonstrated by analysis of two Certified Reference Materials (NASS-6 and CASS-5 seawater) with satisfying results characterized by precisions of 3.5% and 3.2% RSD for CASS-5 and NASS-6, respectively.     

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric determination of molybdenum in urine

A method was developed for the determination of molybdenum (Mo) in human urine by direct dilution of the sample in doubly distilled water with 1% HNO3 (v/v) and inductively coupled mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In and Y were used as internal standards. Since (98)Mo provides a higher sensitivity, it was chosen as the reference isotope. The influence of different factors, such as sample dilution, HNO3 concentration and the stability of the analyte were evaluated. The detection limit (LOD) was assessed at 0.2 microg/L Mo, while the lower limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.6 microg/L. Recoveries ranged between 97.2 and 100.7% from solutions containing from 10 to 50 microg/L Mo. Linear calibration curves were generated from 2.1 and 52.1 microg/L with coefficients of variation (CV ) ranging from 1.62 to 3.56%. In order to establish reference values (RV) for molybdenum, the procedure presented here was used to determine Mo in the urine of a population group living in Tuscany, Italy.     

Separation and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometric (ICP-OES) determination of trace impurities in nuclear grade uranium oxide

A simple and rapid inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometric method for the determination of trace level impurities like REEs, Y, Cd, Co, V, Mg, B, Ca, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn and Al in uranium oxide samples is described. The method involves solvent extraction separation of uranium from 6 M HNO₃ acid medium using di (2-ethyl hexyl) phosphoric acid in toluene, which selectively separates uranium leaving behind the trace impurities in the aqueous media, for quantification by ICP-OES. The method has been applied to few synthetic samples and five certified reference U₃O₈ standards. The results are compared with other methods such as TBP-TOPO-CCl₄ and 1,2 diaminocyclohexane N,N,N′,N′-tetra acetic acid (CyDTA)–ammonium hydroxide (NH₄OH) separation techniques. Different experimental parameters like contact time, acidity, aqueous to organic ratio etc., are optimized for better and accurate results. The method is simple, rapid, accurate and precise for all the studied elements, showing a relative standard deviation of 1.5–12.0% at trace levels studied (5.5–12% at 0.2 μg/mL and 1.5–6.0% at 0.5 μg/mL), on the synthetic samples prepared from high purity oxides.     

Age determination of plutonium using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The age of plutonium is defined as the time since the last separation of the plutonium isotopes from their daughter nuclides. In this paper, a method for age determination based on analysis of ²⁴¹Pu/²⁴¹Am and ²⁴⁰Pu/²³⁶Pu using ICP-SFMS is described. Separation of Pu and Am was performed using a solid phase extraction procedure including UTEVA, TEVA, TRU and Ln-resins. The procedure provided separation factors adequate for this purpose. Age determinations were performed on two plutonium reference solutions from the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, IRMM081 (²³⁹Pu) and IRMM083 (²⁴⁰Pu), on sediment from the Marshall Islands (reference material IAEA367) and on soil from the Trinity test site (Trinitite). The measured ages based on the ²⁴¹Am/²⁴¹Pu ratio corresponded well with the time since the last parent-daughter separations of all the materials. The ages derived from the ²³⁶U/²⁴⁰Pu ratio were in agreement for the IRMM materials, but for IAEA367 the determination of ²³⁶U was interfered by tailing from ²³⁸U, and for Trinitite the determined age was biased due to formation of ²³⁶U in the detonation of the “Gadget”.     

蒸气发生-电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定碘

建立了一种在线化学蒸气发生-电感耦合等离子体质谱测定碘的方法。利用碘负离子的还原性,采用氧化还原手段,将碘负离子氧化为碘单质;然后通过碘单质的易挥发特点,将碘蒸气直接导入等离子体。该方法可以提高传输效率,改善样品利用率,使检测灵敏度得到极大的提高。方法的检出限为0.22μg/L,样品加标回收率在87.4%~97.75%之间,RSD(n=11)在3%以内。实验中预先将正5价碘还原成碘负离子,然后加入氧化剂将碘负离子氧化成碘单质进行检测;对碘的形态化学蒸气发生法进行了尝试。     

Comparison of mass spectrometric and optical measurements of temperature and electron density in the inductively coupled plasma during mass spectrometric sampling

Electron density (n_e) and ionization temperature (T_ion) are measured using atomic emission spectrometry (AES) from the small funnel of gas just outside the sampling orifice of an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). Rotational temperature (T_rot) is measured using an OH emission band. T_ion is also determined for the same elements (Zn and Cd) by using M⁺ ion signal ratios by MS. For matrix-free solutions, typical values are n_e=1.6×10¹⁵ cm⁻³, T_rot=3340 K, T_ion (MS)≈T_ion (AES)≈7000 K. This agreement between the T_ion values supports other observations that, for atomic analyte ions M⁺ of similar m/z values in matrix-free solutions, the relative signals in the mass spectrum reflect the corresponding relative abundances in the ICP region being drawn into the sampler. Using either MS or AES, T_ion for Cd is 300–400 K higher than that for Zn, which indicates that T_ion can vary for different elements in the ICP. Sodium nitrate matrix at levels up to 1000 ppm Na does not cause a measurable change in n_e; 2000 ppm Na causes n_e to increase to 2.1×10¹⁵ cm⁻³. Sodium matrix has a large effect on the MS signal levels but does not greatly change the resulting T_ion values measured optically.     

Radionuclide determination in environmental samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The determination of naturally occurring and anthropogenic radionuclides in the environment by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry has gained recognition over the last fifteen years, relative to radiometric techniques, as the result of improvement in instrumental performance, sample introduction equipment, and sample preparation. With the increase in instrumental sensitivity, it is now possible to measure ultratrace levels (fg range) of many radioisotopes, including those with half-lives between 1 and 1000 years, without requiring very complex sample pre-concentration schemes. However, the identification and quantification of radioisotopes in environmental matrices is still hampered by a variety of analytical issues such as spectral (both atomic and molecular ions) and non-spectral (matrix effect) interferences and instrumental limitations (e.g., abundance sensitivity).The scope of this review is to highlight recent analytical progress and issues associated with the determination of radionuclides by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The impact of interferences, instrumental limitations (e.g., degree of ionization, abundance sensitivity, detection limits) and low sample-to-plasma transfer efficiency on the measurement of radionuclides by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry will be described. Solutions that overcome these issues will be discussed, highlighting their pros and cons and assessing their impact on the measurement of environmental radioactivity. Among the solutions proposed, mass and chemical resolution through the use of sector-field instruments and chemical reactions/collisions in a pressurized cell, respectively, will be described. Other methods, such as unique sample introduction equipment (e.g., laser ablation, electrothermal vaporisation, high efficiency nebulization) and instrumental modifications/optimizations (e.g., instrumental vacuum, radiofrequency power, guard electrode) that improve sensitivity and performance will also be examined.     

Optimisation of flow-injection-hydride generation inductively coupled plasma spectrometric determination of selenium in electrolytic manganese

Flow-injection-hydride generation procedure for Se in electrolytic manganese was optimized by means of the experimental design approach. Instrumental variables like power supplied (P), sample (F) and argon (G) flow rates together with chemical variables like NaBH₄ and HCl concentrations were studied. In case of the chemical variables, it was concluded that sodium tetrahydridoborate concentrations higher than 1.0% extinguished the plasma while HCl concentration should always be higher than 0.6 mol dm⁻³. The analysis of effects suggested that all the instrumental variables are significant factors, and the optimum conditions were P = 1550 W, F = 4.75 mL min⁻¹ and G = 0.6 mL min⁻¹. The influence of Mn was specially studied and it was concluded that the interferences were negligible if Mn is below 2.0 g L⁻¹. In the same sense, the interferences of antimony(III), arsenic(V) and mercury(II) were also considered negligible. Finally, a detection limit of 0.0005% (w/w) was obtained (a repeatability R.S.D. <2.0% for all Se concentrations tried). Some manganese samples were also spiked with different concentrations of Se(IV) and the results demonstrated to be in good statistical agreement with expected values.     

Determination of Hg in seawater by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after on-line pre-concentration

A method for the determination of Hg in seawater by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, after an on-line separation and pre-concentration, is described. The matrix separation was accomplished by retention of the Hg complex with the ammonium salt of O,O-diethyl dithiophosphoric acid on C₁₈ immobilized on silica in a micro-column. Before pre-concentration, the seawater sample was acidified with HNO₃ to 0.14 mol l⁻¹. Methanol was used as the eluent, which was introduced into the conventional pneumatic nebulizer of the instrument. External calibration with aqueous analytical solutions, submitted to the same procedure, was used. An enhancement factor of 16 was obtained, and the limit of detection was 5 ng l⁻¹. The sample consumption was 2.3 ml per determination, and the sampling frequency was 21 h⁻¹. The accuracy was tested by comparison with vapor generation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The agreement between the Hg concentrations measured by the two methods in the seawater samples was good.     

Arsenic speciation by ion chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric detection.

Four As compounds were successfully separated and detected by single-column ion chromatography with inductively coupled plasma (ICP) mass spectrometric detection. The mass spectral interferent ArCl+ was reduced by chromatographically resolving chloride from the negatively charged arsenic species. Determination of four As species was investigated in urine, club soda and wine. Detection limits of 0.16 ng of As(III), 0.26 ng of As(v), 0.073 ng of dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) and 0.18 ng of methylarsonic acid (MMA) in wine were obtained. Sensitivity was further improved by using an He-Ar mixed gas ICP as the ionization source. However, the intensity of the ArCl+ interference was also increased using this plasma. Detection limits of 0.063 ng of As(III), 0.037 ng of As(v), 0.032 ng of DMA and 0.080 ng of MMA in club soda were achieved using the He-Ar plasma source. Similar limits of detection were found in urine and wine.     

Preconcentration and determination of trace metals in seawater using a thiol cotton fiber minicolumn coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

A rapid separation and preconcentration method was developed for the determination of trace metals Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb in seawater using a minicolumn packed with thiol cotton fiber (TCF) coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Preconcentration parameters, such as seawater sample volume and flow rate and eluent hydrochloric acid concentration, volume and flow rate, were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, trace metals Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb in seawater can be determined with no interference from saline matrices. When a sample volume of 1500 ml and a sample flow rate of 15 ml min(-1) were used, the preconcentration factor of 1500 and RSD value of <7% at ng ml(-1) were achieved. The accuracy of the recommended method was verified by the analysis of certified reference materials.