Development of an ICP-IDMS method for accurate routine analyses of toxic heavy metals in polyolefins and comparison with results by TI-IDMS

An inductively coupled plasma isotope dilution mass spectrometric (ICP-IDMS) method was developed as a suitable method - with respect to its sensitivity, precision, accuracy, and time-consumption - for the analysis of toxic heavy metal traces (Pb, Cd, Cr, and Hg) in polyolefins. Results for Pb, Cd, and Cr were compared with those obtained by thermal ionization isotope dilution mass spectrometry (TI-IDMS), which was used as a reference method. Because of its high first ionization potential and its high volatility mercury could not be determined by TI-IDMS. A multi-element spike solution, containing isotopically enriched 206Pb, 116Cd, 53Cr, and 201Hg, was used for the isotope dilution step. Decomposition of the polyolefin samples was carried out with concentrated HNO3 at temperatures of about 300 degrees C in a high pressure asher (HPA). This procedure decomposes polyolefins completely and allows isotopic equilibration between sample and spike isotopes. Detection limits of 16 ng/g, 5 ng/g, 164 ng/g, and 9 ng/g were obtained for Pb, Cd, Cr, and Hg by ICP-IDMS using only sample weights of 0.25 g. In different commercially available polyethylene samples heavy metal concentrations in the range of < 5 ng/g to 4 x 10(3) ng/g were analyzed. Both mass spectrometric methods were applied within the EU project "Polymeric Elemental Reference Material (PERM)" for the certification of two polyethylene reference materials. The ICP-IDMS results agreed very well with those of TI-IDMS which demonstrates the accuracy of the ICP-IDMS method also suitable for routine analyses.     

Use of thermal ionization isotope dilution mass spectrometry (TI-IDMS) as an oligo-element method for the determination of photographically relevant trace elements in AgCl emulsions

Thermal ionization isotope dilution mass spectrometry (TI-IDMS) was used as an oligo-element method for the determination of Cr, Cd and Pb in photographic AgCl emulsions. After addition of an appropriate amount of isotopically enriched spikes (⁵³Cr, ¹¹⁶Cd and ²⁰⁶Pb) to the solid samples, the latter were completely dissolved in NH₃ solution, permitting isotopic exchange to take place. Thereafter, AgCl was selectively removed by precipitation, whereby ultrasonic treatment was used to enhance the recovery of the elements of interest. Despite the use of concentrated HNO₃ and H₂O₂ during further sample processing, preliminary experiments indicated the presence of a substantial remainder of the organic matrix (gelatine). Hence, the analytes of interest were isolated by means of electrolytic deposition on Pt electrodes. Subsequently, the deposits were dissolved from the Pt electrodes using a mixture of concentrated HNO₃ and H₂O₂ and the solutions evaporated to dryness. The solid residues were taken up in diluted HNO₃ and loaded onto Re filaments. In order to improve the ionization yield, prior to the sample, a silicagel suspension containing AlCl₃ was loaded onto the filament and after sample loading, both H₃BO₃ (for Cr and Pb) and H₃PO₄ (for Cd and Pb) were added as further ionization aids. Finally, the isotope ratios of interest (⁵²Cr/⁵³Cr, ¹¹⁴Cd/¹¹⁶Cd and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁸Pb) were determined using thermal ionization mass spectrometry, whereby all three analyte elements were vaporized from the same filament. The limits of detection obtained using this procedure range from 0.4 ng (for Cd) to 4 ng (for Pb). Four different AgCl emulsions were analyzed. For Cr, the concentration found was quite similar for all emulsions analyzed, as it varied between ～ 40 and ～ 100 ng/g only. For Cd, very low values were found for all samples analyzed (≤ 3 ng/g). Finally, for Pb a much larger variation from ～ 10 ng/g up to ～ 5.5 μg/g was observed. For the sample with the highest Pb content, an excellent agreement could be established between the results obtained using quadrupole-based ICP-IDMS and those using TI-IDMS. For the determination of Cr by means of quadrupole-based ICP-IDMS, an instrument equipped with a ShieldTorch system was used to avoid spectral overlap of the ⁵²Cr⁺ and ⁴⁰Ar¹²C⁺ ion signals. Also in this case, the results obtained are in very good agreement with those obtained using TI-IDMS. The comparison between TI-IDMS and ICP-IDMS also made clear that sample inhomogeneity limits the between-sample precision attainable.     

Comparison of heavy metal analyses in hydrofluoric acid used in microelectronic industry by ICP-MS and thermal ionization isotope dilution mass spectrometry

An isotope dilution mass spectrometric (IDMS) method with the thermal ionization (TI) technique has been developed for the determination of trace impurities of Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ag, Cd, Tl, Pb, Th, and U in high-purity HF (50% by weight) used in the semiconductor industry. The evaporation step of the HF solution was carried out in an apparatus which did not significantly contribute to contaminations of the heavy metals to be analysed. This apparatus allowed fast evaporation of the HF solution of up to 200 ml/h and therefore also a fast trace heavy metal/matrix separation was carried out. The evaporation step was also used in connection with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) when applying the isotope dilution technique and an external calibration for quantification, respectively. The detection limits for TI-IDMS were (in pg/g): Cr=30, Fe=400, Ni=70, Cu=20, Zn=1100, Ag=70, Cd=10, Tl=1, Pb=16, Th=3, and U=1. With ICP-MS in combination with the evaporation step, detection limits of less than 50 pg/g have been achieved for Cr, Ni, and Zn and of <5 pg/g for the other elements except Fe, which could not be determined in concentrations less than 100 ng/g. On the other hand, the detection limits were much higher when the HF matrix was not removed before measuring by ICP-MS. A comparison of the different ICP-MS methods (isotope dilution technique and external calibration for both HF evaporated samples and those with HF matrix) with the results of TI-IDMS has been carried out. An excellent agreement was achieved between the results of TI-IDMS and the two ICP-MS methods using the HF evaporation step, whereas the ICP-MS techniques without HF evaporation essentially deviated from these results. Fe was the only trace element of all investigated heavy metals which could only be analysed by TI-IDMS in high purity HF in a concentration of about 3 ng/g. Although ICP-MS with isotope dilution and external calibration resulted in comparable analytical data, the ICP-IDMS method has some practical advantages such as time-saving and more reliable results.     

Determination of zirconium traces in polymers by ICP-IDMS – a powerful and fast method for routine testing of zirconium residues in polyolefins

Zirconium trace analyses play an important role for polyolefins produced by modern catalytic processes with zirconium metallocenes. A reliable and fast routine testing method by inductively coupled plasma isotope dilution mass spectrometry (ICP-IDMS) was therefore developed, which allows the determination of zirconium in polymers down to the low ng/g level. With respect to its precision, accuracy, and time-consumption this method is suitable for routine testing of production processes. A spike solution, enriched in the stable isotope ⁹¹Zr, was prepared and used for the isotope dilution procedure, which has the advantage of being an internal “one point” calibration method. The polyolefin samples were dissolved by microwave assisted digestion with a mixture of concentrated HNO₃/HF.     

Determination of zirconium traces in polymers by ICP-IDMS – a powerful and fast method for routine testing of zirconium residues in polyolefins

Zirconium trace analyses play an important role for polyolefins produced by modern catalytic processes with zirconium metallocenes. A reliable and fast routine testing method by inductively coupled plasma isotope dilution mass spectrometry (ICP-IDMS) was therefore developed, which allows the determination of zirconium in polymers down to the low ng/g level. With respect to its precision, accuracy, and time-consumption this method is suitable for routine testing of production processes. A spike solution, enriched in the stable isotope ⁹¹Zr, was prepared and used for the isotope dilution procedure, which has the advantage of being an internal “one point” calibration method. The polyolefin samples were dissolved by microwave assisted digestion with a mixture of concentrated HNO₃/HF. Received: 16 November 1998 / Revised: 29 January 1999 / Accepted: 18 February 1999     

Determination of cadmium,mercury and lead in coal fly ash by slurry sampling electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Ultrasonic slurry sampling electrothermal vaporization isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (USS-ETV-ID-ICP-MS) has been applied to the determination of Cd, Hg and Pb in coal fly ash samples. Thioacetamide (TAC) was used as the modifier. Since the sensitivities of the elements studied in coal fly ash slurry and aqueous solution were quite different, isotope dilution method was used for the determination of Cd, Hg and Pb in these coal fly ash samples. The isotope ratios of each element were calculated from the peak areas of each injection peak. This method has been applied to the determination of Cd, Hg and Pb in NIST SRM 1633a coal fly ash reference material and a coal fly ash sample collected from Kaohsiung area. Analysis results of reference sample NIST SRM 1633a coal fly ash agreed satisfactorily with the certified values. The other sample determined by isotope dilution and method of standard additions was agreed satisfactorily. Precision was better than 6% for most of the determinations and accuracy was better than 4% with the USS-ETV-ID-ICP-MS method. Detection limits estimated from standard addition curves were in the range of 24–58, 6–28 and 108–110 ng g⁻¹ for Cd, Hg and Pb, respectively.     

Determination of heavy metal traces in metallic materials with IDMS

Summary Two pure copper samples were analysed for Cr, Ni, Zn, Cd, and Pb with isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) as a part of a certification campaign of the European Community Bureau of Reference in Brussels. Additionally, one commercially available copper powder was determined for Zn, Cd, and Pb. After dissolution of the sample in aqua regia Pb was separated from the matrix by anodic electrodeposition, the other elements by anion-exchange chromatography. Positive thermal ions were produced in a single-filament ion source using the silica gel technique with phosphoric acid for Zn, Cd, and Pb and with boric acid for Cr and Ni. Most of the heavy metals could be determined with relative standard deviations of about 1% down to the ng/g level. The detection limits were 13 ng/g for Zn, 4 ng/g for Ni, 2 ng/g for Cr, 1 ng/g for Pb, and 0.03 ng/g for Cd. The results were compared with those obtained by another IDMS laboratory and by other methods applied during the certification campaign.

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Bestimmung von Schwermetallspuren in metallischen Werkstoffen mit der massenspektrometrischen IsotopenverdünnungsanalyseTeil 1. Bestimmung von Cr, Ni, Zn, Cd und Pb in reinem Kupfer

     

Determination of ruthenium in photographic emulsions – development and comparison of different sample treatments and mass spectrometric methods

Different sample treatment procedures were combined with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and negative thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (NTI-MS) for the determination of ruthenium traces in photographic emulsions. Dissolution of the samples in concentrated ammonia solution was used in connection with ICP-MS by external calibration, which has the advantage of a simple sample preparation technique but introduces high amounts of the silver matrix into the mass spectrometer. On the other hand, isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) with an enriched ⁹⁹Ru spike solution was applied for ICP-MS and NTI-MS measurements, respectively, in connection with a significant reduction of the matrix by AgCl precipitation. In these cases loss of ruthenium by the AgCl precipitate has no effect on the analytical result. The results of the different methods agreed usually well analysing ruthenium traces in the range of 0.1–10 μg per gram emulsion. The detection limits obtained were 4 ng/g for ICP-IDMS, 20 ng/g for NTI-IDMS, and 15 ng/g for ICP-MS with external calibration. Differences in the results between the different methods could mainly be attributed to sample inhomogeneities. ICP-IDMS with silver matrix reduction by AgCl precipitation is recommended as a routine method, NTI-IDMS with the corresponding sample treatment as a calibration method.     

Determination of heavy metal complexes with humic substances by HPLC/ICP-MS coupling using on-line isotope dilution technique

An isotope dilution mass spectrometric (IDMS) method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of the complexes of 11 heavy metals (Ag, Cd, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, Tl, U, W, Zn and Zr) with humic substances (HS) by coupling HPLC with ICP-MS and applying the on-line isotope dilution technique. The HPLC separation was carried out with size exclusion chromatography. This HPLC/ICP-IDMS method was applied to samples from a brown water, ground water, sewage and seepage water as well as for a sample containing isolated fulvic acids. The total contents of heavy metals and of their complexes were analyzed in these samples with detection limits in the range of 5–110 ng/L. The analysis of heavy metal/HS complexes from the different waters resulted in characteristic fingerprints of the distribution pattern of heavy metals in the separated HS fractions. A comparison between the total heavy metal concentrations and their portions bound to humic substances showed distinct differences for the various metals. Simultaneous ¹²C detection was used for the characterization of HS complexes not identified by UV detection and for the determination of relative DOC concentrations of chromatographic peaks. Received: 21 February 1997 / Revised: 27 May 1997 / Accepted: 28 May 1997     

Determination of heavy metals in TiO2 with isotope dilution mass spectrometry

An isotope dilution mass spectrometric (IDMS) method has been developed for the determination of trace impurities (Fe, Cu, Cr, Ni, Cd, Pb, Tl, and U) in TiO₂; this is of special interest for the quality control of this pigment substance. The measurement of the isotope ratios was carried out using a compact thermal ionization quadrupole mass spectrometer by producing positive thermal ions. For the dissolution of the sample, microwave digestion with HF was applied. Different separation techniques (ion exchange chromatography, extraction, electrolytic deposition) were used for the trace/matrix separation and the element specific isolation of the different trace elements to be determined. The detection limits obtained were (in ng/g): Fe=90, Cu=11, Ni=8, Cd=7, Pb=26, Tl=0.6, U=0.2. Because IDMS usually results in accurate analytical results, this method can best be used for calibration of other analytical methods, or for the certification of corresponding standard reference materials.     

Determination of cadmium,mercury and lead in seawater by electrothermal vaporization isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Electrothermal vaporization isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ETV-ID-ICP-MS) has been applied to the determination of Cd, Hg and Pb in seawater samples. The isotope ratios of the elements studied in each analytical run were calculated from the peak areas of each isotope. Various modifiers were tested for the best signal of these elements. After preliminary studies, 0.15% m/v TAC and 4% v/v HCl were added to the sample solution to work as the modifier. The ETV-ID-ICP-MS method has been applied to the determination of Cd, Hg and Pb in NASS-4 and CASS-3 reference seawater samples and seawater samples collected from Kaohsiung area. The results for reference sample NASS-4 and CASS-3 agreed satisfactorily with the reference values. Results for other samples determined by isotope dilution and method of standard additions agreed satisfactorily. Detection limits were approximately 0.002, 0.005 and 0.001 ng ml⁻¹ for Cd, Hg and Pb in seawater, respectively, with the ETV-ICP-MS method. Precision between sample replicates was better than 20% for most of the determinations.     

Development of an accurate,sensitive, and robust isotope dilution laser ablation ICP-MS method for simultaneous multi-element analysis (chlorine,sulfur, and heavy metals) in coal samples

A method for the direct multi-element determination of Cl, S, Hg, Pb, Cd, U, Br, Cr, Cu, Fe, and Zn in powdered coal samples has been developed by applying inductively coupled plasma isotope dilution mass spectrometry (ICP-IDMS) with laser-assisted introduction into the plasma. A sector-field ICP-MS with a mass resolution of 4,000 and a high-ablation rate laser ablation system provided significantly better sensitivity, detection limits, and accuracy compared to a conventional laser ablation system coupled with a quadrupole ICP-MS. The sensitivity ranges from about 590 cps for ³⁵Cl⁺ to more than 6 × 10⁵ cps for ²³⁸U⁺ for 1 μg of trace element per gram of coal sample. Detection limits vary from 450 ng g⁻¹ for chlorine and 18 ng g⁻¹ for sulfur to 9.5 pg g⁻¹ for mercury and 0.3 pg g⁻¹ for uranium. Analyses of minor and trace elements in four certified reference materials (BCR-180 Gas Coal, BCR-331 Steam Coal, SRM 1632c Trace Elements in Coal, SRM 1635 Trace Elements in Coal) yielded good agreement of usually not more than 5% deviation from the certified values and precisions of less than 10% relative standard deviation for most elements. Higher relative standard deviations were found for particular elements such as Hg and Cd caused by inhomogeneities due to associations of these elements within micro-inclusions in coal which was demonstrated for Hg in SRM 1635, SRM 1632c, and another standard reference material (SRM 2682b, Sulfur and Mercury in Coal). The developed LA-ICP-IDMS method with its simple sample pretreatment opens the possibility for accurate, fast, and highly sensitive determinations of environmentally critical contaminants in coal as well as of trace impurities in similar sample materials like graphite powder and activated charcoal on a routine basis. Figure LA-ICP-IDMS allows direct multi-element determination in powdered coal samples     

Determination of heavy metals in TiO2 with isotope dilution mass spectrometry

An isotope dilution mass spectrometric (IDMS) method has been developed for the determination of trace impurities (Fe, Cu, Cr, Ni, Cd, Pb, Tl, and U) in TiO₂; this is of special interest for the quality control of this pigment substance. The measurement of the isotope ratios was carried out using a compact thermal ionization quadrupole mass spectrometer by producing positive thermal ions. For the dissolution of the sample, microwave digestion with HF was applied. Different separation techniques (ion exchange chromatography, extraction, electrolytic deposition) were used for the trace/matrix separation and the element specific isolation of the different trace elements to be determined. The detection limits obtained were (in ng/g): Fe=90, Cu=11, Ni=8, Cd=7, Pb=26, Tl=0.6, U=0.2. Because IDMS usually results in accurate analytical results, this method can best be used for calibration of other analytical methods, or for the certification of corresponding standard reference materials.     

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.     

Mass spectrometric determination of cadmium in i.a.e.a. fish solubles

The cadmium content of the I.A.E.A Fish Solubles [A-6 (1975)] was determined by the isotope dilution method. After dry-ashing and dissolution of the specimen, the cadmium was equilibrated with a known amount of ¹⁰³Cd spike, isolated by ion exchange, purified by dithizone extraction, and converted to the sulfide form in 1% H₃PO₄ solution. The CdS precipitate was loaded onto a baked single rhenium filament for mass spectrometric analysis. The ¹⁰³Cd/¹¹⁰Cd ratio was measured to compute the cadmium content of 0.278 ± 0.032 ppm (dry weight basis) in the Fish Solubles.     

Isotope dilution ICP-MS with laser-assisted sample introduction for direct determination of sulfur in petroleum products

Inductively coupled plasma isotope dilution mass spectrometry (ICP-IDMS) with direct laser-assisted introduction of isotope-diluted samples into the plasma, using a laser ablation system with high ablation rates, was developed for accurate sulfur determinations in different petroleum products such as sulfur-free premium gasoline, diesel fuel, and heating oil. Two certified gas oil reference materials were analyzed for method validation. Two different ³⁴S-enriched spike compounds, namely, elementary sulfur dissolved in xylene and dibenzothiophene in hexane, were synthesized and tested for their usefulness in this isotope dilution technique. The isotope-diluted sample was adsorbed on a filter-paper-like material, which was fixed in a special holder for irradiation by the laser beam. Under these conditions no time-dependent spike/analyte fractionation was only observed for the dibenzothiophene spike during the laser ablation process, which means that the measured ³⁴S/³²S isotope ratio of the isotope-diluted sample remained constant—a necessary precondition for accurate results with the isotope dilution technique. A comparison of LA-ICP-IDMS results with the certified values of the gas oil reference materials and with results obtained from ICP-IDMS analyses with wet sample digestion demonstrated the accuracy of the new LA-ICP-IDMS method in the concentration range of 9.2 g g^–1 (sulfur-free premium gasoline) to 10.4 mg g^–1 (gas oil reference material BCR 107). The detection limit for sulfur by LA-ICP-IDMS is 0.04 g g^–1 and the analysis time is only about 10 min, which therefore also qualifies this method for accurate determinations of low sulfur contents in petroleum products on a routine level.This article is dedicated to Wilhelm Fresenius who has continuously supported the academic career of Klaus G. Heumann and the analytical work of his group.     

Sulfur trace determination in petroleum products by isotope dilution ICP-MS using direct injection by thermal vaporization (TV-ICP-IDMS)

An accurate, sensitive, and fast method for direct determination of total sulfur in petroleum products after thermal vaporization of an isotope-diluted sample was developed by using ICP-MS. ³⁴S-labelled dibenzothiophene spike was used for the isotope dilution step. The isotope-diluted sample was injected into a thermal vaporizer which was directly connected by a heated transfer line to the plasma torch. Sample transport was achieved by using a helium gas flow, and the isotope ratio ³⁴S/³²S was determined within seconds after injection. No other sample preparation other than the simple and fast isotope dilution step, which enables accurate and sensitive determination of sulfur at high sample throughputs, is necessary. Thus, this technique fits all needs for routine analyses. Validation of the TV-ICP-IDMS method was carried out by analyzing the certified gas oil reference materials BCR672 and BCR107. Comparison of results for noncertified low- and high-boiling samples, obtained from an ICP-IDMS microwave-assisted digestion method, also resulted in very good agreement. The low detection limit of 40 ng/g and the large dynamic range of TV-ICP-IDMS fulfill all necessities to allow analysis of sulfur in different petroleum products, e.g., even at the low concentration level of ‘sulfur-free’ gasoline.     

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.     

Schwermetall-Spurenbestimmung mit einem kompakten Thermionen-Quadrupol-Massenspektrometer

Zusammenfassung Es wird ein Verfahren beschrieben, welches eine Spurenbestimmung der Schwermetalle Pb, Cd, Tl, Cu und Zn durch massenspektrometrische Isotopenverdünnungsanalyse bei Verwendung eines kompakten Thermionen-Quadrupolgerätes erlaubt. Mit dieser Methode werden sehr verschiedenartige Probenmaterialien, wie Klärschlämme, Böden, Sediment, Phosphaterz und Müllasche analysiert. Die angewandten Aufschlußverfahren ermöglichen grundsätzlich eine Unterscheidung zwischen dem Totalgehalt der Schwermetalle sowie dem in Königswasser löslichen Anteil. Als Isolierungsmethoden werden alternativ eine elektrolytische Abscheidung und eine ionenaustausch-chromatographische Abtrennung diskutiert. Dabei ermöglicht eine gemeinsame Elektrodeposition der Elemente Pb, Cd, Tl und Cu auch die entsprechende massenspektrometrische Oligoelementbestimmung. Diese ist auf Proben mit nicht zu extremen Schwermetallgehalten anwendbar. Dagegen kann die Methode bei chromatographischer Abtrennung der Elemente ohne Einschränkung eingesetzt werden. Soweit Standard-Referenzmaterialien analysiert werden, stimmen die Ergebnisse mit den zertifizierten Werten überein. Vergleiche mit den massenspektrometrischen Ergebnissen bei Verwendung eines Magnetgerätes zeigen innerhalb der Fehlergrenzen identische Werte, so daß mit dem kompakten und einfach handhabbaren Quadrupolgerät für die definitive Methode der massenspektrometrischen Isotopenverdünnungsanalyse eine breitere Anwendung als bisher offen steht. Die Nachweisgrenzen des beschriebenen Verfahrens liegen für Pb bei 3 ng/g (Elektrolyse) bzw. 13 ng/g (Ionenaustauscher), für Cu bei 2 ng/g, für Cd und Tl bei 6 ng/g und für Zn bei 27 ng/g. Damit können alle umweltrelevanten Materialien der beschriebenen Art auf die genannten Schwermetalle hin analysiert werden.

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Heavy metal trace determination with a compact thermal ionization quadrupole mass spectrometerPart 1. Analysis of sewage sludges, soils and analogous materials

Summary An analytical method is described which allows trace determinations of the heavy metals Pb, Cd, Tl, Cu, and Zn with isotope dilution mass spectrometry using a compact thermal ionization quadrupole instrument for measuring the isotope ratios. Different materials, e.g. sewage sludges, soils, a sediment, a phosphat rock and a city waste incineration ash are analysed with this method. In principle, the total heavy metal contents as well as the portion, which is dissolved in aqua regia, can be determined by the chemical processes used for the decomposition of the samples. Alternatively, an electrolytic deposition and ion-exchange chromatography can be applied to separate heavy metals from the matrix. A mass spectrometric oligo-element determination of Pb, Cd, Tl, and Cu is possible by electrode-positing these elements. This type of determination can be applied to all samples which are not too extreme in their heavy metal contents. The chromatographic separation of the elements can be used without any restriction. So far as standard reference materials are analysed, the results determined with the described isotope dilution technique and the quadrupole mass spectrometer agree well with the certified values. A comparison of results, obtained with a magnetic sector field instrument, with the results of the quadrupole mass spectrometer shows identical values within the limits of error. Therefore, the availability of the quadrupole thermal ionization mass spectrometer, which is a cost-efficient solution and an instrument which is relatively easy to handle, establishes a stronger basis for the application of the isotope dilution technique. The detection limits for the described method are: 3 ng/g (electrolytic deposition) and 13 ng/g (chromatographic separation) for Pb, 2 ng/g for Cu, 6 ng/g for Cd and Tl, and 27 ng/g for Zn. These detection limits enable the analyses of all environmental samples of the described type with respect to the heavy metals mentioned.

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Herrn Prof. Dr. H. Hartkamp zum 60. Geburtstag gewidmet

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Dem Bundesministerium für Forschung und Technologie sowie dem Fonds der Chemischen Industrie danken wir für die finanzielle Unterstützung.     

Slurry sampling electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the determination of Cr, Cd and Pb in plastics

Ultrasonic slurry sampling electrothermal vaporization dynamic reaction cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (USS–ETV–DRC–ICP–MS) for the determination of Cr, Cd and Pb in several plastic samples, using NH₄NO₃ as the modifier, is described. The influences of the instrumental operating conditions and the slurry preparation technique on the ion signals are investigated. A reduction in the intensity of the background at signals corresponding to chromium masses (arising from matrix elements) was achieved by using NH₃ as the reaction cell gas in the DRC. The method was applied to determine Cr, Cd and Pb in two polystyrene (PS) samples and a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sample using two different calibration methods, namely standard addition and isotope dilution. The results were in good agreement with those for digested samples analyzed by ultrasonic nebulization DRC–ICP–MS. The precision between sample replicates was better than 17% with the USS–ETV–DRC–ICP–MS method. The method detection limits, estimated from standard addition curves, were about 6–9, 1–2 and 8–11 ng g⁻¹ for Cr, Cd and Pb, respectively, in the original plastic samples.