Improved detection of transition and rare earth elements in marine samples with the CETAC DSX-100 preconcentration/matrix elimination system and ICP-MS

A new method for detection of trace metals in saline samples is described using batch preconcentration with subsequent ICP-MS analyses after direct sample insertion of the analyte loaded chelating resin. The samples were prepared using a CETAC DSX-100 system, which preconcentrates analytes and removes matrix components by a suspended particulate reagent (SPR). The SPR is consisting of polymeric beads of 0.2 μm size that selectively binds the trace metals by iminodiacetic chelating groups. The beads with bound analytes are then nebulized directly into the ICP-MS. The enrichment factors lay between 40 and 48 due to the enrichment of 120 mL suspension to 2.5–3.0 mL eluate. The method was applied and validated to the successful determination of traces of the transition metals Mn, Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb in the Open Ocean Seawater certified reference material NASS-4 and the Coastal Seawater certified reference material CASS-3. In addition to the certified constituents the rare earth elements La, Ce, Eu, Gd, Yb, and Lu were determined. Received: 15 Oktober 1999 / Revised: 1 February 2000 / Accepted: 3 February 2000