Quantification relative composition

In LC-ICP-MS, samples are separated on a chromatographic column, which may be a simple silica or alumina column with a relatively simple eluent. As the components elute from the column, they enter the ICP and the identity of the elements present and their concentration are determined based on the wavelengths of light (identity) and intensity of light (quantification) they emit. The exhaust from the ICP then enters the mass spectrometer, where the metals and their isotopic composition are determined based on their characteristic m/z ratios. The metals are thus identified and verified by two methods, ICP and MS [15]. 

The significant relative mass difference (c. 16%) between the two stable isotopes of Li (approximately Li 7.5%, Li 92.5%), coupled with broad elemental dispersion in Earth and planetary materials, makes this a system of considerable interest in fingerprinting geochemical processes, determining mass balances, and in thermometry. Natural mass fractionation in this system is responsible for c. 6% variation among materials examined to date (Fig. 1). Although the modem era of Li isotope quantification has begun, there are still many questions about the Li isotopic compositions of fundamental materials and the nature of fractionation by important mechanisms that are unanswered (e.g., Hoefs 1997). 

In comparison with NMR, mass spectrometry is more sensitive and, thus, can be used for compounds of lower concentration. While it is easily possible to measure picomoles of compounds, detection limits at the attomole levels can be reached. Mass spectrometry also has the ability to identify compounds through elucidation of their chemical structure by MS/MS and determination of their exact masses. This is true at least for compounds below 500 Da, the limit at which very high-resolution mass spectrometry can unambiguously determine the elemental composition. In 2005, this could only be done by FTICR. Orbitrap appears to be a good alternative, with a more limited mass range but a better signal-to-noise ratio. Furthermore, mass spectrometry allows relative concentration determinations to be made between samples with a dynamic range of about 10000. Absolute quantification is also possible but needs reference compounds to be used. It should be mentioned that if mass spectrometry is an important technique for metabolome analysis, another key tool is specific software to manipulate, summarize and analyse the complex multivariant data obtained. 

Total protein assays have the advantage of being relatively straightforward compared to molecular-level analyses. Methods with fluorescence-based detection are also highly sensitive, and thus amenable direcdy to DON. Quantitative interpretation for environmental mixtures such as seawater, however, may be problematic for some samples. Most methods react with specific moieties (e.g., coomassie blue binds to lysine and arginine) and thus results obtained can depend on protein composition, size distribution, and even conformation (Sapan et ai, 1999), making the careful choice of calibration standards important. In addition, common components of natural samples, such as humic materials (e.g., Mayer et ai, 1986), carbohydrates (Sapan et ai, 1999), or NH3 may interfere with quantification. Overall, colorimetric methods can be very useful as quick, Hkely semi-quantitative estimates of total protein or peptide. However, potential biases inherent in the mechanism of a specific method should be considered before one is chosen, and appHcation of newer molecular assays (e.g., CBQCA) should be carefully examined in terms of natural sample matrix (Nunn et ai, 2003). 

Quantitative analysis of the surface composition from the intensity of the peaks requires the quantification factors to be known. As with the peak position, it is possible to use reference compounds in order to determine these factors (taking care to correct for any surface segregation that might modify the observed composition compared to the expected composition). A series of carefully chosen binary compounds can be used to establish relative sensitivity factors for a large number of elements (Fig, 5.6). 

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