Agilent ICP-MS Journal (April 2017 – Issue 68)

Importance of Advanced ICP-MS Techniques in Environmental and Analytical Chemistry

High-matrix samples, stringent regulatory requirements, and the demand for rapid, high-throughput elemental and speciation analysis have driven continuous innovation in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). State-of-the-art instrument designs, reaction cell chemistries, and automated sample introduction systems enable direct analysis of challenging matrices, accurate detection of trace contaminants, and compliance with evolving international standards.

Objectives and Overview of Articles

• Demonstrate a direct, undiluted seawater analysis using Agilent 7800 ICP-MS equipped with High Matrix Introduction (HMI) and ISIS 3 loop injection.
• Review recent updates to European water quality standards (ISO 17294-2:2016) via on-demand webinar.
• Present an ultrasensitive GC-ICP-MS method for organotin speciation in environmental and consumer samples.
• Summarize the role and applications of triple quadrupole ICP-MS (ICP-QQQ) at Ghent University for interference-free, trace-level analysis and isotopic measurements.
• Provide an executive summary of ICP-MS/MS advantages in eliminating spectral overlaps.
• Highlight Agilent’s mentoring and new software plugins showcased at EWCPS 2017.

Methodology and Instrumentation

• Agilent 7800 ICP-MS with HMI and optional Integrated Sample Introduction System (ISIS 3) for direct seawater analysis using helium collision mode and kinetic energy discrimination.
• Agilent 7890 GC coupled to 7900 ICP-MS via G3158D interface for elemental speciation of organotins, with derivatization and peralkylation sample prep.
• Agilent 8800 Triple Quadrupole ICP-MS (ICP-QQQ) using CH₃F reaction gas to remove polyatomic and isobaric interferences in As, Se, and Sr isotope analysis.
• Laser Ablation (LA) ICP-QQQ for in situ ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotopic ratio determination without Rb interference.
• ESI prepFAST autosampler with MassHunter plug-in for automated calibration, real-time dilution, and one-minute sample cycle times.

Key Results and Discussion

Direct seawater analysis on the 7800 ICP-MS achieved detection limits as low as 0.011 µg/L for Cd and 0.036 µg/L for Ni, with spike recoveries above 99 % across diverse matrices (estuarine, open ocean). The approach eliminated labor-intensive reagent use and provided sample throughput of ~1 min per analysis.
The updated ISO 17294-2:2016 standard sets new reporting limits for 62 regulated elements in drinking, surface, and wastewater. The on-demand webinar outlined compliance strategies and Agilent’s ICP-MS solutions for accredited labs.
GC-ICP-MS speciation of ten organotin species yielded detection limits down to 2 ng/L for tributyltin, with precise calibration curves and robust chromatography across water, sediment, biota, and packaging samples.
ICP-QQQ at Ghent University demonstrated sub-ppt measurement of As and Se by mass-shift and mass-defect techniques, and accurate ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios by converting Sr⁺ to SrF⁺ in CH₃F cell gas, even in Rb-rich matrices.
The ICP-MS/MS executive summary highlighted the elimination of reactive gas-specific tuning, delivering a streamlined, single-step method for broad-spectrum interference removal.
At EWCPS 2017, Agilent mentored emerging scientists on career development and facilitated workshops on ICP-QQQ fundamentals. The new prepFAST MassHunter plug-in demonstrated automated, syringe-based dilution and on-the-fly tuning for high-throughput elemental workflows.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Direct, undiluted analysis of saline samples without extensive sample prep or costly reagents.
• High throughput with one-minute analysis cycles enabled by ISIS 3 and autosampler integration.
• Universal interference removal via ICP-QQQ and MS/MS, reducing method complexity and tuning time.
• Automated calibration and intelligent dilution minimize manual handling and potential errors.
• Trace-level speciation of toxic organometallics supports environmental monitoring and consumer product safety.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

• Broader adoption of tandem ICP-MS for advanced speciation, isotopic geochemistry, and nanoparticle analysis.
• Integration of automated sample prep systems and data workflows for fully unattended laboratories.
• Development of new reaction cell chemistries to target emerging contaminants and complex matrices.
• Expansion of laser ablation ICP-QQQ in forensic, archaeological, and food authenticity studies.
• Real-time monitoring of endocrine disruptors and priority pollutants in compliance with evolving global regulations.

Conclusion

This issue of Agilent ICP-MS Journal showcases significant advances in ICP-MS instrumentation, methodologies, and software that collectively enhance analytical performance, simplify workflows, and ensure compliance with stringent detection limits. The integration of ICP-QQQ, MS/MS, GC-ICP-MS, and automated sample handling represents a paradigm shift toward high-throughput, interference-free elemental and speciation analysis.

References

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2. R. Airaksinnen et al. Environmental Research (2010) 110, 544–547
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4. J. B. Graceli et al. Reproductive Toxicology (2013) 36, 40–52
5. E. Jantzen et al. Journal of Chromatography A (2017), in press
6. Directive 2013/39/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council