Inductively trace analysis

Laser based mass spectrometric methods, such as laser ionization (LIMS) and laser ablation in combination with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) are powerful analytical techniques for survey analysis of solid substances. To realize the analytical performances methods for the direct trace analysis of synthetic and natural crystals modification of a traditional analytical technique was necessary and suitable standard reference materials (SRM) were required. Recent developments allowed extending the range of analytical applications of LIMS and LA-ICP-MS will be presented and discussed. For example ... 

Nearly every area of measurement science can boast of progress in measuring ever-smaller quantities of chemicals, but several stand out in their stunning trace-analysis capabilities. Trace-metal analysis has come to be dominated by methods that volatilize the sample and then either measure its spectroscopic emission or absorption, or measure the masses of the gaseous metal ions using mass spectrometry. Volatilization is accomplished by various thermal means that include flames, furnaces, and inductively coupled or microwave plasmas. The com-... 

The extension of inductively coupled plasma (ICP) atomic emission spectrometry to seawater analysis has been slow for two major reasons. The first is that the concentrations of almost all trace metals of interest are 1 xg/l or less, below detection limits attainable with conventional pneumatic nebulisation. The second is that the seawater matrix, with some 3.5% dissolved solids, is not compatible with most of the sample introduction systems used with ICP. Thus direct multielemental trace analysis of seawater by ICP-AES is impractical, at least with pneumatic nebulisation. In view of this, a number of alternative strategies can be considered ... 

Inductively coupled plasma ICP Plasma source Atomic ions Isotope ratio Trace analysis... 

Different analytical techniques such as ICP-OES (optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma source), XRF (X-ray fluorescence analysis), AAS (atomic absorption spectrometry) with graphite furnace and flame GF-AAS and FAAS, NAA (neutron activation analysis) and others, are employed for the trace analysis of environmental samples. The main features of selected atomic spectrometric techniques (ICP-MS, ICP-OES and AAS) are summarized in Table 9.20.1 The detection ranges and LODs of selected analytical techniques for trace analysis on environmental samples are summarized in Figure 9.15.1... 

ICP-MS is a multielement technique that is suitable for trace analysis it offers a long linear range and low background for most elements. ICP-MS is a technique where the ions produced in inductively coupled plasma are separated in a mass analyzer and detected. The sample solution is fed into a nebulizer by a peristaltic pump. The nebulizer converts the liquid sample into a fine aerosol that is transported into the plasma by an Ar gas flow. In the plasma the sample is evaporated, dissociated, atomized, and ionized to varying extents. The positive ions and molecular ions produced are extracted into the mass analyzer. Detailed descriptions of the ICP-MS technique can be found in a number of textbooks.13,14... 

The availability of instrumentation in the QC laboratory or at the production facility will often influence the choice of the analytical technique. For example, the trace analysis of a DS for three different metal elements (iron, copper, and nickel) can be simultaneously performed by an inductively coupled plasma (ICP). The cost of this instrument, however, is 100,000 or more. For this example, the same analysis can be performed to the level of precision and detection defined in the technical objective by an A A spectrometer. Unlike the ICP, the AA analysis is sequential, and therefore is significantly more time-consuming. The choice of the A A method may be desirable, however, since the instrumentation cost is afraction ofthe cost of an ICP, and often is an instrument already available in a QC or production laboratory. 

J. M. Marchante-Gayon, C. Sariego Muniz, J. I. Garcia Alonso, A. Sanz-Medel, Multi-elemental trace analysis of biological materials using double focusing inductively coupled plasma mass detection, Anal. Chim. Acta, 400 (1999), 307-320. 

Four techniques based on mass spectrometry are widely used for multi-elemental trace analysis of inorganic compounds in a wide range of sample types. These techniques are thermal ionization (TI), spark source (SS), glow discharge (GD) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) mass spectrometry. In these techniques, atomization and ionization of the analysed sample are accomplished by volatilization from a heated surface, attack by electrical discharge, rare-gas ion sputtering and vaporization in a hot flame produced by inductive coupling. 

Inorganic extractables/leachables would include metals and other trace elements such as silica, sodium, potassium, aluminum, calcium, and zinc associated with glass packaging systems. Analytical techniques for the trace analysis of these elements are well established and include inductively coupled plasma—atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), ICP-MS, graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS), electron microprobe, and X-ray fluorescence. Applications of these techniques have been reviewed by Jenke. " An example of an extractables study for certain glass containers is presented by Borchert et al. ". ... 

An important analysis regarding toxicological and legal requirements of flavourings is the control of heavy metal contaminations. Most of the heavy metals show toxic effects in humans, even in trace quantities. Their determination can only be accomplished using trace analysis techniques. In practice, the different analytical techniques Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES) have been employed successfully. Both methods require complete dissolution of the sample by decomposition. 

Treatment of ICPAES from different perspectives and to varying degrees of comprehensiveness appears in a number of chapters in volumes not solely dedicated to ICP-AES, but treating spectrometry and analysis in general. An early excellent chapter on ICP-AES is by Tschopel (1979) on plasma excitation in spectrochemical analysis, in Wilson and Wilson s Comprehensive Analytical Chemistry. A very brief historical introduction to ICP-AES, basic principles and considerations of absorption and emission lines, and applications to food analysis is in a book on modern food analysis (Ihnat (1984), and Van Loon (1985), in his practical analyst-oriented book on selected methods of trace analysis biological and environmental samples includes a chapter (pp. 19-52) on techniques and instrumentation including ICPAES. Moore (1989) (Introduction to Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry) provides... 

Lyon, T.D.B, Fell, G.S., Hutton, R.C., and Eaton, A.N. (1988) Evaluation of inductively coupled argon plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for simultaneous multi-element trace analysis in clinical chemistry. J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 3, 265-271. 

The most powerful detection technique for the trace analysis in complex matrices seems to be MS, separately or with inductively coupled plasma source or an electrospray source. 

Seubert, A. Schminke, G. Nowack, M. Ahter, W. Buchberger, W. Comparison of on-line couphng of ion-chromatography with atmosphere pressure ionisation mass spectrometry and with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry as tools for the ultra-trace analysis of bromate in surface water samples. J. Chromatogr. 2000,884, 191-196. EC contract SMT4-CT96-2134, EUR report, European Commission, No. 1960, ISBN 92-828-9401-0 Brussels. 2000. 

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry is one of the most sensitive techniques available for trace analysis. Analyte ions produced in the plasma are directed into the inlet of a mass spectrometer, which separates ions by their mass-to-charge ratio. Ions are measured with a sensitive detector that is similar to a photomultiplier tube. The linear range listed in Table 20-4 extends over eight orders of magnitude, and the detection limit is 100-1 000 times lower than that of furnace atomic absorption. 

A arwal SK (2010) Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for trace analysis. In Lahiri S (ed) Advance trace analysis. Narosa Publishing House, New Delhi, pp 71—92... 

Devos, W, Senn-Luder, M., Moor, C., Salter, C. (2000) Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) for spatially resolved trace analysis of early-medieval archaeological iron finds Fresenius . Journal of Analytical Chemistry, 366(8), 873-880. 

Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) has become increasingly important for the direct and fast multi-element trace analysis of compact and powdered solid samples over the last two decades. Moreover, LA-ICP-MS also allows spatially resolved analysis with good lateral resolution [37,... 

K. Benkhedda, H. Goenaga Infante, and F.C. Adams. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for trace analysis using flow injection on-line preconcentration and time-of-flight mass analyser. TRAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry 21 332-342, 2002. 

In the decades after it became available in the mid-1940s, neutron activation analysis was considered to be the pre-eminent analytical method because few, if any, alternative techniques could match its high sensitivity (ppm or ppb) and accuracy. Even now that inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is available, NAA has the potential for superior accuracy because ICP-MS is more subject to matrix effects and interferences, at least for trace analysis. ... 

Bensted,J. (1993). Use of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) for heavy metal trace analysis of API class G oilwell cement. Cent. Conor. Res. 23(4), 993-994. 

Kozono, S., ltoh,T.,Yoshinaga, A., and Ohkawa, S. (1994).Trace analysis of a beryllium window for a solid state detector system by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Anal. Sci. Int.J.Jpn. Soc.Anal. Chem. 10(3), 477. 

Leiterer, M., Einax,J. W., Loeser, C., and Vetter, A. (1997). Trace analysis of metals in plant samples with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Fresenius J. Anal. Chem. 359(4-5), 423. 

Matschat, R.,and Czerwensky, M. (1997).Trace analysis of selected high-purity metals using high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Phys. Status SolidiA 161(1), 567. 

---