Shimadzu has produced an application note describing the analysis of river water using ICP-MS.

Shimadzu_river water analysis using ICP-MS
 
Introduction
Sources of drinking water include river water and ground water with each country having regulations that require testing of its safety and condition. Countries also stipulate environmental standards for the protection of our living environment that also require testing. These include tests for high concentration elements such as sodium and calcium that are present at 10 mg/L or higher, and trace elements such as arsenic and lead that are present at 10 µg/L or lower. This application describes using Shimadzu's ICPMS-2030 inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer to analyse river water for the presence of these elements.
 
About the Instrument
Shimadzu's ICPMS-2030 inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer was used for analysis. In addition to being highly sensitive, the ICPMS-2030 uses a helium gas collision system that greatly reduces the spectral interference caused by argon and chlorine. Use of Eco mode and a mini-torch drastically reduces running costs associated with gas usage, compared to previous ICPMS systems.
 
Analysis
A calibration curve method was used to measure trace amounts of 19 constituents: lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), selenium (Se), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), boron (B), aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), barium (Ba), molybdenum (Mo), uranium (U), potassium (K), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca). Internal reference standard elements (Co, Ga, Y, In, Tl) were added to each sample to a concentration of 5 μg/L. Since this study examines a tap water source, analysis was performed based on the ministerial ordinance on water quality standards issued by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
 
Results
Good quantitative results were obtained that matched the certified values, even when analysing trace concentrations that were below reference values. Shimadzu's ICPMS-2030 is shown to be an effective choice for this application.
 
 

Published  May 17, 2017

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