Dynamic Reaction Cell ICP-MS Research Articles

Universal isotope dilution analysis of arsenic with labelled methane gas by dynamic reaction cell ICP-MS

Universal ID method using a labelled reaction gas in ICP-DRC-MS was investigated and was developed for arsenic determination.

Redox speciation of iron, manganese, and copper in cerebrospinal fluid by strong cation exchange chromatography – sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A new method of simultaneous redox speciation of iron (II/III), manganese (II/III), and copper (I/II) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been designed. For the separation of redox species strong cation exchange chromatography (SCX) with isocratic elution was employed. Species were detected using inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry (ICP-sf-MS), operating at medium resolution. The following parameters were optimized: analytical column, eluent composition and pH, CSF injection volume and dilution factor. Analytical column Dionex IonPac CS5A RFIC 4*250 mm was found to retain and separate species of interest the most effectively under the isocratic elution with a buffer, containing 50 mM ammonium citrate, 7.0 mM pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid at pH = 4.2 and flow rate of 0.8 L min−1. Injection volume of 50 μL with CSF sample dilution of 1/3 (v/v) with the eluent was shown to result in minimal matrix suppression. For species identification, retention time matching with standards was used. The stability of metalloproteins (ferritin, transferrin, and ceruloplasmin) under elution conditions was evaluated. For the quantification of redox species, external calibration was employed. To avoid column contamination, a blank was run after measurement and all quantification values were blank subtracted. For recovery checks, species quantification data was verified against total content of an element, measured by dynamic reaction cell ICP-MS. Recoveries (sum of quantified species vs. total element determinations) were 82.5 ± 22% (Mn), 92 ± 11% (Fe), and 88.7 ± 12% (Cu). The method was tested using 38 real CSF samples. Limits of detection (3σ) for the CSF samples were 0.5 μg L−1, 0.6 μg L−1, and 0.8 μg L−1 for Fe, Mn, and Cu species, respectively. Retention time precision was 1–7.5% (as RSD), whereas peak area RSDs were in the range 5–11%, both depending on the species.

Calibration strategies for quantifying the Mn content of tooth and bone samples by LA-ICP-MS

There is a growing interest in using biomonitoring of tooth and bone specimens to assess human exposure to manganese (Mn). Information on historical exposure to Mn can be obtained through micro-spatial analysis of such specimens by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The principal aim of this study was to compare several calibration strategies for determining Mn content in tooth and bone by LA-ICP-MS including: (a) a six-point calibration curve based on synthesized hydroxyapatite (HA) materials, and single-point calibrations based on (b) NIST SRM 1400 Bone Ash, (c) NIST SRM 1486 Bone Meal, and (d) NIST SRM 612 Trace Elements in Glass. Performance was similar between different ICP-MS platforms (quadrupole ICP-MS, dynamic reaction cell ICP-MS, and sector field ICP-MS). Data based on calibration using the 55Mn count rate were compared to that based on using the 55Mn/43Ca count rate ratio to obtain results as the Mn mass fraction. Reasonable performance was obtained by calibration using either SRM 612 or SRM 1400, in combination with the 55Mn/43Ca count rate ratio and using either the synthesized HA standards or SRM 1400 as calibrators, combined with 55Mn count rate. By contrast, calibration based on SRM 1486 resulted in a systematic low bias. While there are several options for quantifying the Mn content of tooth and bone using LA-ICP-MS, users should be aware of the potential for strong matrix effects that may affect results. Overall, determining the 55Mn/43Ca count rate ratio, rather than the mass fraction, may represent a better approach for reporting the content of Mn in tooth and bone by LA-ICP-MS.

A method for analysis of dimethyl selenide and dimethyl diselenide by LC-ICP-DRC-MS

The aim of this work was to develop a simple and fast high performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled argon plasma (ICP) mass spectrometry (MS) method capable of separating and detecting the two volatile selenium species dimethyl selenide (DMeSe) and dimethyl diselenide (DMeDSe) in biological samples. Dimethyl selenide and dimethyl diselenide were separated on a short reversed phase column using an eluent containing 40% methanol and detected by dynamic reaction cell ICP-MS monitoring the (80)Se isotope. The limit of detection was 8 nM for both species (corresponding to 0.6 and 1.3 μg Se/L for DMeDSe and DMeSe, respectively). Both compounds exhibited a linear signal-concentration relationship in the investigated concentration range of 0.1-1 μM with a precision on the determinations better than 3%. The method was applied for analysis of samples from cancer cell lines incubated with methylseleninic acid, selenomethionine, Se-methylselenocysteine, and sodium selenite. DMeDSe were detected in some samples. The method offers a simple and fast analysis of DMeDSe and DMeSe using standard liquid chromatography coupled with ICP-MS equipment and interfacing.

Speciation analysis of arsenic and selenium compounds by CE‐dynamic reaction cell‐ICP‐MS

A dynamic reaction cell ICP-MS was used as a CE detector for the speciation analysis of arsenic and selenium. Samples containing arsenite, arsenate, monomethylarsonic acid, dimethylarsinic acid, arsenobetaine, selenite, selenate, selenocysteine, selenomethione, and Se-methylselenocysteine were subjected to electrophoretic separation before being introduced into the microconcentric nebulizer (CEI-100) for their determination by ICP-MS. The separation has been achieved in a 60 cm length x 75 microm id fused-silica capillary. The electrophoretic buffer used was 25 mmol/L CAPS, and 0.5 mmol/L SDS at pH 9.5, whereas the applied voltage was set at 25 kV. The potentially interfering (38)Ar(40)Ar(+) and (40)Ar(40)Ar(+) at the selenium masses m/z 78 and 80 were reduced in intensity by approximately three orders of magnitude by using 1.4 mL/min CH(4) as reactive cell gas in the dynamic reaction cell. Arsenic was determined as the adduct ion (75)As(12)CH(2) (+) at m/z 89. The LOD for arsenic and selenium was in the range of 0.6-1.8 ng/mL, and 0.5-1.4 ng/mL, respectively, based on peak height. This method has been applied to determine various arsenic and selenium compounds in NIST SRM 1633a Coal Fly Ash and NRCC DOLT-3 Dogfish Liver reference materials and a selenium dietary supplement. The arsenic and selenium compounds were extracted from fish liver and dietary supplement by using Protease XIV and Lipase, and from coal fly ash with HF solution. The spike recoveries were in the range 91-103% for all the species studied.

Reduction of polyatomic interferences in biological material using dynamic reaction cell ICP-MS

Abstract An analytical method is described for the routine quantification of five elements (As, Cr, Fe, Ni, and Se) in plants and animal feedstuffs using dynamic reaction cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-DRC-MS) after microwave digestion. Methane (for Cr, Fe, Ni, and Se) and oxygen (for As) were used as reaction gases to reduce polyatomic interferences. Optimization of the gas flow rate and the quadrupole dynamic bandpass tuning parameter (RPq) was carried out for the method. Detection limits (LOD) were in the range of 0.03–0.65 µg L− 1 and were significantly lower compared to the standard mode without DRC. The trueness of the method was tested using three reference materials from Round robin tests. Results were well in accordance with the certified values. Furthermore, DRC data were examined by analyzing the same samples using sector field ICP-MS (SF-ICP-MS) and an ICP-MS equipped with collision cell technology (ICP-CCT-MS). The data obtained were in the confidence range of the reference material, too. The investigated method was applied for the analysis of grass and corn silage samples.

Validation of a digestion procedure for ICP-AES and dynamic reaction cell ICP-MS for trace elemental analysis in environmental samples

Due to chloride polyatomic interferences, hydrochloric acid is not recommended for preparation of samples analysed by ICP-MS and separate digestion procedures are used for ICP-MS and ICP-AES. Here we demonstrate that a single digestion procedure using a mixture of HNO3 and HCl can be used for ICP-AES and dynamic reaction cell (DRC)-ICP-MS. Hotplate, block digester and microwave digestion were investigated. For a quantitative recovery of 26 elements including Ag, Sb and Ti from waters, soils and sediments, the final concentration of 10% (v/v) HCl in the digest is required regardless of the digestion techniques. The method detection limits of 0.3–1.2 μg/L were obtained for chloride-interfering elements As, V, Cr and Se by DRC-ICP-MS using ammonia and oxygen as the DRC gas.

Determination of 90Sr in contaminated environmental samples by tuneable bandpass dynamic reaction cell ICP–MS

A rapid method for the extraction and determination of 90Sr in natural water, plant and sediment samples was developed using extraction chromatography and dynamic reaction cell ICP-MS, with O2 as a reaction gas. While isobaric interference from the stable isotope 90Zr was efficiently removed by this method, interferences produced from in-cell reactions with Fe+ and Ni+ required suppression by tuneable bandpass, and in sediments, additional chromatographic separation. Method detection limits were 0.1 pg g-1 (0.5 Bq g-1), 0.04 pg g-1(0.2 Bq g-1), and 3 pg L-1 (5 Bq L-1) for sediments, plant and water samples, respectively, and 90Sr concentrations determined by ICP-MS were in good agreement with activities determined by Cerenkov counting and with certified reference values. While mass spectrometric determination does not rival detection limits achievable by radiometric counting, radiometric determination of 90Sr, a pure beta-emitter, is hindered by long analysis times (several weeks); the comparatively fast analysis achieved via ICP-MS enables same-day preparation and analysis of samples, making this an important technique for the environmental monitoring of areas contaminated by radioactivity.

Determination of chromium in whole blood by DRC–ICP–MS: spectral and non-spectral interferences

Quantification of chromium in whole blood has been performed by ICP-quadrupole MS. The spectrometer was equipped with a dynamic reaction cell (DRC) with ammonia as reaction gas. The rejection parameter q (RPq) of the DRC and the flow rate of ammonia (NH3) were optimized and set at 0.7 and 0.6 mL min(-1), respectively. Blood was diluted 1:51 (v/v) with an aqueous solution containing 0.1 mg L(-1) NH4OH, 0.1 g L(-1) EDTA, 5 mg L(-1) n-butanol, and 0.1 per thousand Triton X100. Non-spectral matrix effects observed when using the DRC were confirmed by use of vanadium. External calibration with blank and standard solutions prepared in purified water led to biased results for quality control samples. Standard addition calibration was therefore used and its validity verified. By comparing the slopes and calculating residues, it was proved that the plot obtained with standard additions and the plot obtained from blood samples of different concentrations were aligned down to 0.05 microg L(-1) after dilution.

Atmospheric lead deposition to Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia, USA

Contamination of the environment from atmospheric deposition during the twentieth century is pervasive even in areas ostensibly considered pristine or remote from point sources. In this study, Pb concentrations in a 210Pb-dated peat core collected from the Okefenokee Swamp, GA were used to assess historical contaminant input via atmospheric deposition. Lead isotope ratios were determined by dynamic reaction cell ICP-MS (DRC-ICP-MS). Increases in Pb concentration occurred in the late nineteenth century and a marked rise in Pb concentrations pre-dated the widespread use of leaded gasoline within the US. The 206Pb/207Pb ratios of 1.19 during this period were consistent with coal combustion emissions. A later increase in Pb concentration, concurrent with a trend toward more radiogenic 206Pb/207Pb ratios in gasoline is consistent with an increased input of Pb from leaded gasoline emissions. However, it appears that coal combustion emissions remain a major source of Pb to the Okefenokee.

Analysis of Ling Zhi (Ganoderma lucidum) using dynamic reaction cell ICP-MS and ICP-AES

This paper describes a method for determining major (Al, Ba, Ca, Fe, Na, Mg, K and P) and trace (V, As, Se, Cd, Hg, and Pb) elements in plant materials by ICP-AES and ICP-MS after microwave digestion. A dynamic reaction cell (DRC) was used to remove polyatomic interference in the analysis of As and Se at m/z 75 and 78, respectively. Method development and validation is accomplished through the use of a standard reference material (SRM 1547). Results for the reference samples agreed satisfactorily with certified values. The method is then applied to the analysis of Ling Zhi (Ganoderma lucidum). The lowest limits of detection for major and trace elements are in the range of hundreds of ppt to sub-ppt levels.

Multi-element analysis of melt and fluid inclusions with improved detection capabilities for Ca and Fe using laser ablation with a dynamic reaction cell ICP-MS

Analysis of melt and fluid inclusions by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry has contributed significantly to our understanding of magmatic and hydrothermal processes. The combination of laser ablation and ICP-MS detection allows the quantification of a wide variety of elements in inclusions as small as 10 µm. The transient nature of the signal and the low amount of sample material have maintained quadrupole based ICP-MS as the instrumentation of choice, due to high sensitivities combined with fast sequential detection capabilities. However, the detection of some elements was limited due to polyatomic and isobaric interferences. Recently introduced dynamic reaction cell technology offers the reduction of interferences commonly found in ICP-MS and thus the determination of important elements with improved signal to noise ratio. The capability of a dynamic reaction cell for multi-element analysis with short transient signals was studied for the simultaneous determination of major, minor and trace element concentrations in single fluid and melt inclusions. Analyses performed with the dynamic reaction cell were compared with results obtained in the standard mode operation of the ICP-MS. The results show that the reaction cell is well suited for fast transient multi-element analysis, providing very comparable results to the standard mode. Hydrogen has been found efficient for removing Ar+ and Ar-based polyatomic ions from the mass spectrum when a buffer gas is added to enhance thermalization of the ions. Due to this, the limits of detection for Ca were improved by 2.5 orders of magnitude and a factor of 20 for Fe using the most abundant isotopes for analysis.