Multi-dimensional analytical concept

Wrong species identification likely if species identification is based solely on specific retention time in a single (low-resolving) separation method. Multi-dimensional analytical concepts employing different separation mechanisms are recommended. 

When employing solely element-selective detectors such as ICP-MS, only the element in the species is detected, not the entire molecule. This has the advantage that the separation of molecules bound to different elements need not be complete. The molecule itself however, is not seen and species identification is provided only by the retention pattern on the separation device. In natural samples this is not always done without doubt, and therefore multi-dimensional analytical concepts are strongly indicated in such cases. 

In short, these multi-dimensional analytical concepts work with combinations of different separation technologies and different detection systems. Two common schemes are ... 

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