Mass spectrometric isotope dilution analysis for accurate determination of elements in environmental samples†

Abstract

Abstract The application of mass spectrometric isotope dilution analysis in environmental analytical chemistry is described. Different ionization methods used in mass spectrometry for isotope dilution analysis and the advantage of isotope dilution analysis owing to its accuracy are discussed. The principle of the isotope dilution technique is explained using thallium analysis as an example. Possible methods of sample decomposition for organic and inorganic matrices and of element separation are given. Using lead, cadmium and thallium analyses as examples the application of mass spectrometric isotope dilution analysis for determination of toxic metals in environmental samples is shown. The determination of chloride and bromide traces in snow is given as an example of non‐metal analysis. The possibility of determining pure elements by the isotope dilution technique using a long‐lived radioactive isotope as a spike is discussed.