Novel Developments in Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry: How can the Analysis of Complex Samples Be Made Simple?

Metals Analysis
Oral Presentation

Prepared by A. Fornadel, E. George, T. Astill, M. Mourgas, B. Surekar, D. Kutscher
Thermo Fisher, 104 Quinn Road, Severna Park, Maryland, 21146, United States


Contact Information: [email protected]; 443-346-0728

ABSTRACT

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) is today one of the key technologies used for the determination of trace element concentrations in almost any sample type. Following on its initial development in 1980, it has seen an unparalleled ramp up, and grew from a high-end tool used in cutting edge research laboratories to a technique used in many thousand laboratories across all regions.

In 40 years of being available, there have been developments to drive detection limits lower, hyphenation of separation techniques and accessories to allow for direct sampling of solids, ramp up of productivity and sample throughput, and, most of all, better removal of interferences.

However, the complexity of samples to be analyzed using ICP-MS increased at the same level, and typical samples run by analytical testing laboratories today require the analysis of matrix levels previously analyzed using ICP-OES. This is particularly true for environmental monitoring, with region-specific standards and guidelines put in place to ensure that the soil in the field, gardens, and other land areas is safe before any use of the land and to assure that toxic metals are not introduced after anthropogenic activities, such as the release of industrial waste, use of fertilizers, and mining. One key analytical method is U.S. EPA Method 6020B (SW-846), which governs the analysis of soils, solid waste, and wastewaters.

This presentation will provide an overview on novel developments in ICP-MS, providing an unmatched ability to tackle samples with outstanding complexity, both in terms of matrix load and interferences. It will show how even %-levels of total dissolved solids can be handled effectively, and requirements of EPA method 6020B (SW 846) and beyond can be reliably fulfilled.