Semiquantitative analysis of environmental materials by laser sampling inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract

Laser sampling inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry has been used for the semiquantitative analysis of several solid sample material types that are encountered in the environment. Particulate samples are mixed with a cellulose-based binding agent and pressed into pellets for direct solid sampling by the laser. Semiquantitative analysis results are typically accurate to within 20–40% using internal standardization and within a factor of 2–3 without internal standardization. Precision is typically better than 15% relative standard deviation. Detection limits were limited by the purity of the binding material used to produce the pellet and typically ranged between 0.002 and 1.0 µg g^–1. Analytical figures of merit of the technique are evaluated and results are discussed in terms of the application of the technique to environmental analysis.