Environmental monitoring on shellfish using UV laser ablation ICP-MS

Laser ablation inductive coupled plasma – mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used to analyse minor and trace elements in the hard parts of a shellfish, representing the environmental changes. A large, long-lived bivalve such as Arctica islandica can produce historical records of trace element fluctuations in seawater. Analytical traverses using LA-ICP-MS were performed from the inner to the outer wall of the shell at different locations. The development of the UV laser system now offers spatial resolution of craters of 10 μm diameter, enabling several analyses between the various growthbands. The elemental changes between growthbands of the shell are discussed, showing the potential for precise determination of heavy-metal pollution over the years.