Sample analysis by on-line isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract

An on-line isotope dilution technique is developed by coupling commercial flow injection instruments with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Application of the technique is demonstrated by the determination of lead concentrations in diverse standard reference materials. The precision of the method, using optimum sample to spike ratios and a steady-state merging stream, is better than 1%. The approach simplifies sample preparation and analysis, and matrix effects have no influence on the determinations.