Trends in ICP-IDMS Trace Analysis

However, ICP-IDMS also has high potential for routine analysis owing to its high accuracy and precision, matrix-independent and sensitive measurement, and its multi-element capability. The characterization of the spike solution is somewhat time consuming, but as more certified spike solutions become commercially 

Direct Determination oflrace Elements in Solid Samples via Laser Ablation and Electrothermal Vaporization ICP-IDMS 

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, 

However, calibration of LA-ICP-MS measurements for accurate determination of trace elements is still a problem, which is mainly due to fractionation processes and lack of certified standard reference materials with a matrix composition that is sufficiently similar to that of the various sample types that need to be analyzed [39]. A great variety of different calibration methods have therefore been developed, including matrix-matched and non-matrix-matched calibration techniques [39-42], but also techniques relying on the use of standard solutions, with corresponding aerosol introduction or direct ablation of the liquid, have been suggested [43, 44]. As a result of the different difficulties and limitations of these calibration methods, LA-ICP-IDMS is a promising alternative for calibration of measurements in powdered and liquid samples. 

A first successful attempt to use the isotope dilution technique in LA-ICP-MS was carried out by Longerich and co-workers in 1999, with the aim of determining zirconium and hafnium in rock samples. A solid isotopic spike was homogeneously mixed with the sample through a combination of grinding and fusion [45]. A simpler sample pretreatment procedure without any fusion step was developed by Heumann and co-workers for a great variety of different powdered samples, and also for the determination of trace elements in petrol [25, 26, 46-48]. 

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