Sample analysis using plasma source mass spectrometry with electrochemical sample introduction

Abstract

A detailed procedure is outlined for the analysis of practical samples by plasma mass spectrometry with an electrothermal vaporizer for sample introduction. Results have been obtained for the determination of As, Cu, Mn, Pb, Rb, V, Zn, and Ag in National Bureau of Standards (NBS) orchard leaves (SRM 1571) and oyster tissue (SRM 1566) and of Pb in a human blood sample used in an interlaboratory comparison study. Simultaneous multimass analysis is demonstrated for Pb isotopes in NBS 981. Generally, the results agreed with certified values. Absolute detection limits at the picogram level were obtained that are 10- to 100-fold better than those reported for ICP atomic emission spectrometry and 10-fold better than those obtained by nebulization with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Relative standard deviations ranged from 2% to 13%.