Book Review & Diary of conferences and courses
Discrete Sample Introduction Techniques for Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry By D. Beauchemin, D. C. Gregoire, D. Gunther, V. Karanassios, J.-M. Mermet and T. J. Wood. Volume XXXIV in Wilson & Wilson's Comprehensive Analytical Chemistry. Pp. 596. Elsevier. 2000. Price: $288.00 (Hardcover). ISBN 0444899510. Search PubMedSince its first appearance, in 1974, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has, in recent years, evolved into a mature and extremely powerful technique for atomic spectrometry. Nowadays ICP-MS is a routine technique in many laboratories dealing with trace element determinations and/or speciation. Several thousands of ICP-MS instruments with or without collision or reaction cells have been installed, including quadrupole, magnetic sector field, time-of-flight and multi-collector instruments.
The main aim of the book is to motivate current and potential ICP-MS users to realise and extend the use and applicability of the technique by coupling various sample introduction techniques to ICP-MS. The book represents the 24th volume of the Comprehensive Analytical Chemistry series and is written by recognised specialists in this area.
The volume is composed of 5 chapters, each devoted to a specialised area of sample introduction for ICP-MS. All chapters contain an extensive list of valuable references for further reading. Especially interesting to new users are the contents of Chapter 1, reviewing fundamentals and the current status of ICP-MS. This largest section of the book clearly describes the working principles of quadrupole-based, high resolution and time-of-flight ICP-MS and compares the performance and features of instruments of various manufacturers. An overview of liquid sample introduction techniques frequently applied in ICP-MS, including pneumatic, ultrasonic (USN), hydraulic high pressure (HHPN), direct injection (DI) and direct injection high efficiency nebulisation (DIHEN) are included in this chapter. In addition, the occurrence of spectroscopic and non-spectroscopic interferences and resulting limitations of the technique are discussed. A huge register of selected applications of ICP-MS to the analysis of a variety of samples is another good starting point for analysts seeking new applications. The chapter ends with a section aiming to extend the capabilities of ICP-MS by the use of mixed-gas plasmas.
All sophisticated sample introduction techniques described thereafter produce a transient signal in comparison to the continuous flow analysis provided by conventional nebulisers. After first reviewing the basic principles of flow injection (FI), a thorough discussion of various FI techniques is followed in Chapter 2. Different dispersion systems, their features and calibration strategies, are compared. Additional features used with reduced dispersion systems, such as preconcentration, vapour generation, liquid–liquid extraction, precipitation/dissolution and anodic stripping voltammetry, are also included in this chapter.
Originally designed for atomic absorption spectrometry, electrothermal vaporization (ETV) can also be applied to ICP-MS. The advantages of ETV coupled to ICP-MS, in terms of minimum sample amount required as well as preconcentration, multi-element and matrix separation capabilities, are described in Chapter 3. Interesting applications such as trace analysis of single zircons for rare earth elements or the determination of Cd isotope ratios in sheeps’ blood complete this chapter on ETV-ICP-MS.
The formation of a microplasma at the surface of the sample by laser excitation, and the subsequent production of fine particles and gaseous species that are introduced into the ICP-MS, are described in Chapter 4 on laser ablation (LA). Fundamental laser parameters and a description of various LA systems are followed by a section on sample preparation which is, contrary to common understanding, necessary for several types of samples. Elemental fractionation observed during LA-ICP-MS as well as difficulties in obtaining reliable quantitative results and strategies to overcome these limitations conclude this chapter.
Chapter 5 favours the potential of direct sample insertion (DSI) to master the key limitations of pneumatic nebulization, i.e., the need to digest solid samples,which dilutes the elements of interest and increases the risk of sample contamination, as well as the low efficiency of solution nebulisation. This last chapter, however, is more a practical guide to DSI-ICP-MS and may be particularly useful to researchers in this field.
The authors have provided readers with valuable information regarding the sample introduction tools needed for a wide range of specific applications of ICP-MS. This new book will be a valuable reference for all analysts and research scientists working with ICP-MS and is highly recommended.
Michael Krachler
Institute of Environmental Geochemistry, University of Heidelberg, Germany
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