Abstract
In this work, a method for quantification of heavy metals Inductively Coupled Plasma Sector Field Mass Spectrometry (ICP-SFMS) in soil samples of El Bierzo district (Spain) has been optimized and validated. Optimization was carried out for elements: Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, As, Cd, Hg, Pb and U. Validation of the method was performed with Certified and Standard Reference Materials (CRMs and SRMs); SRM2709, CRM020-051 and CRM050-051. Results obtained under optimized conditions can be summarized as follows: a) the Limits of Detection (LODs) were in the order of sub fg·g-1 for Cr, Mn, Cu, Co, As, Cd, Hg, Pb and U, and few fg·g-1for Ni, Zn and Se; b) precision measurement, in terms of relative standard deviation (RSD), was been below 5%; c) the average recovery of CRM was between 81.3% and 98%. In conclusion, the method offers several advantages: fast, good accuracy, very low values of Limits of Quantification (LOQs) and high sensitivity on measurement of heavy metal.
Highlights
Heavy metals are of concern to human health and environment due to their toxic effects
Several parameters have been taken into account and evaluated for the validation of the analytical methods for quantitative determination of heavy metals in soils, such as: optimization of measurement, dynamic range and linearity, LODs and limit of quantification (LOQ), repeatability, precision and accuracy
A tuning of the ICP-SFMS parameters was carried out with the same multi-element solution, to obtain the maximum intensities for 115In and 238U isotopes in the Low-Resolution Mode (LRM)
Summary
Heavy metals are of concern to human health and environment due to their toxic effects. Heavy metals are present in soils in high concentrations due to geological anomalies or as a result of contamination, mainly caused by human activities. The development of more powerful ICP Mass Spectrometers has been mainly based on the union of a magnetic sector analyzer to the plasma source, plus a second electrostatic sector analyzer, which allows focusing both the angle at which ions deflect as their energy (double focusing) In this way, it is possible to avoid interferences of atomic or molecular ions in complex samples [15,16]. The tailings were dumped for many years and have been exposed at natural alterations that include several physical, chemical and biological processes This alteration generates many impacts on air, water and soils, as the spontaneous combustion of coal or like acid mine drainage, which releases heavy metals in the environment.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
