Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
10:20
Quantification of Heavy Metals and Other Inorganic Contaminants on the Productivity of Microalgae
Published on: July 10, 2015
Using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry for calibration transfer between environmental CRMs
1Analytical Chemistry Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8391, USA. turk@nist.gov
Fresenius' Journal of Analytical Chemistry
|July 14, 2001
Summary
This study demonstrates a high-performance method for calibrating environmental reference materials using certified reference materials (CRMs). The technique yields measurement uncertainties comparable to the CRM
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Geochemistry
Background:
- Accurate elemental analysis of environmental samples is crucial for monitoring and research.
- Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) are essential for calibrating analytical instruments.
- Existing calibration methods may have limitations in achieving low measurement uncertainties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a high-performance methodology for multielement analysis of environmental reference materials.
- To establish a robust calibration transfer technique using CRMs.
- To propose novel applications for this calibration transfer method.
Main Methods:
- Utilized inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for multielement analysis.
- Employed existing CRMs as calibration standards for the ICP-MS method.
- Implemented a high-performance analytical methodology to minimize comparison measurement uncertainties.
Main Results:
- Achieved comparison measurement uncertainties significantly lower than the certified values of the calibration CRMs.
- Determined values exhibited uncertainties nearly equivalent to those of the calibration CRMs.
- Successfully analyzed various environmental reference materials, including river sediment and coal samples.
Conclusions:
- The developed methodology offers a reliable and accurate approach for calibrating environmental reference materials.
- This calibration transfer technique enables precise re-certification of CRMs and establishes traceability between different CRMs.
- The method is effective for demonstrating the equivalence of CRMs, enhancing data comparability in environmental studies.
Related Concept Videos
01:15High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRMS)
The resolution of a mass spectrometer depends on the efficiency of separating ions with different ion masses. The mass of an atom is approximated to the sum of the masses of protons and neutrons inside, considering the masses of protons and neutrons as equal. However, the masses of the proton (1.6726 × 10−24 g) and neutron (1.6749 × 10−24 g) are not truly equal. There is a minor error in the expression of atomic masses relative to the simplest atom of hydrogen. For example, the mass of helium...
01:19Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (ICP–MS): Overview
In inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS), an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch is used as an atomizer and ionizer. Solid samples are dissolved and volatilized before being introduced into the high-temperature argon plasma, while solution samples are nebulized and passed through the high-temperature argon plasma. Plasma dissociates the analytes and ionizes their component atoms to form a mixture of positive ions and molecular species. The positive ions are then passed on to...
01:20Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS): Interferences
Inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) is a highly selective and sensitive technique for accurate elemental analysis. Though the analysis of ICP–MS mass spectra is comparatively straightforward, it is affected by spectroscopic and non-spectroscopic interferences. Spectroscopic interferences arise when the plasma contains ionic species with an m/z value the same as the analyte ion. Spectroscopic interference can be categorized as isobaric, polyatomic ions, and refractory oxide ion...
01:19Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Principle
Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is the most widely used plasma source in atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), also known as Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The ICP source, or torch, consists of three concentric quartz tubes with argon gas flowing through them. A spark from a Tesla coil initiates the ionization of argon, generating a high-temperature plasma.
The ions and electrons produced interact with the fluctuating magnetic field created by a water-cooled...
The ions and electrons produced interact with the fluctuating magnetic field created by a water-cooled...
01:26Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation
Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is the common plasma source used in atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), a technique that detects and analyzes various elements in a sample. This method is often called inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES).
There are three main types of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) instruments: sequential, simultaneous multichannel, and Fourier transform instruments, with the latter being less commonly used.
There are three main types of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) instruments: sequential, simultaneous multichannel, and Fourier transform instruments, with the latter being less commonly used.
01:29Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Lab
AES is a powerful analytical technique, especially effective when used with plasma sources, producing abundant spectra in characteristic emission lines. The Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), in particular, yields superior quantitative analytical data due to its high stability, low noise, low background, and minimal interferences under optimal experimental conditions. However, newer air-operated microwave sources are emerging as promising alternatives that could be more cost-effective than...