Issue 16, 2015

Validation of total inorganic element determination in wastewater samples by on-line isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract

Current interest in analytical chemistry concerns the traceability of analytical measurements to the International System of Units (SI) and estimation of their uncertainties. Primary methods of measurement achieve traceability directly without intermediate reference standards or materials and without significant empirical correction factors. In this work, isotope dilution mass spectrometry was regarded as such a primary method and wastewater as a matrix of significant ecological and toxicological relevance. In that sense, a validation study was performed for total (dissolved + particulate) element determination (Cd, Cr, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn) in acidified (pH < 2) wastewater samples by using on-line isotope dilution mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (OID-ICP-MS) after acid extraction in a microwave system. Emphasis was placed on the OID-ICP-MS method and its validation by comparison against direct external calibration mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma analysis (ICP-MS), including differences in calibration strategies. Good agreement (trueness) between the two analysis methods was achieved for all trace metals involved. However, OID-ICP-MS offers more accurate and precise results with smaller measurement uncertainties, when properly applied, compared to external calibration. Thus, OID-ICP-MS proved to be an ideal solution for routine wastewater analysis, increasing the sample throughput without any previous sample handling and improving the quality and reliability of the analytical results.

Graphical abstract: Validation of total inorganic element determination in wastewater samples by on-line isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
05 May 2015
Accepted
06 Jul 2015
First published
06 Jul 2015

Anal. Methods, 2015,7, 6602-6611

Validation of total inorganic element determination in wastewater samples by on-line isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

J. Etxeandia and J. C. Raposo, Anal. Methods, 2015, 7, 6602 DOI: 10.1039/C5AY01158B

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