Microchimica Acta

, Volume 119, Issue 3–4, pp 277–286 | Cite as

Spectral and non-spectral interferences in inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry

  • Richard F. J. Dams
  • Jan Goossens
  • Luc Moens
Original Papers

Abstract

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry of environmental and biological samples is often hampered by spectral and non-spectral interferences. Spectral interferences, caused by the limited resolution of the quadrupole mass spectrometer, can be eliminated in a variety of ways. For their identification inspection of a signal versus carrier gas flowrate is useful. Anion exchange allows the removal of most S and Cl containing compounds, which are at the origin of the majority of spectral interferences. Matrix modification, for example the addition of ethanol and subsequent optimization of the gas flow rates in a number of cases enables the reduction of the interferences to insignificant values. Often a mathematical correction based on isotopic signal ratios can be applied. Non-spectral interferences can be divided in reversible, that is occurring while the sample is being measured, and irreversible matrix effects, that is clogging of the nebulizer and sampling orifices or deposition on the torch or in the ion lens stack. The errors associated with non-spectral interferences can be eliminated by appropriate calibration procedures, adapted sample preparation or limitation of the amount of sample delivered to nebulizer, plasma and sampling devices, for example by the application of flow injection. Applications of all the elimination procedures are described for the analysis of sea-water, estuarine water, soil and sewage extracts, percolate water, urine, serum and wine.

Key words

ICP-MS spectral interference non-spectral interference 
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. [1]
    E. H. Evans, J. J. Giglio,J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 1993,8, 1.Google Scholar
  2. [2]
    D. Beauchemin, J. W. McLaren, S. S. Berman,Spectrochim. Acta, Part B 1987,42, 467.Google Scholar
  3. [3]
    J. A. Olivares, R. S. Houk,Anal. Chem. 1986,58, 20.Google Scholar
  4. [4]
    D. C. Gregoire,Spectrochim. Acta, Part B 1987,42, 895.Google Scholar
  5. [5]
    G. R. Gilson, D. J. Douglas, J. E. Fulford, K. W. Halligan, S. D. Tanner,Anal. Chem. 1988,60, 1472.Google Scholar
  6. [6]
    F. Vanhaecke, H. Vanhoe, R. Dams, C. Vandecasteele,Talanta 1992,39, 737.Google Scholar
  7. [7]
    J. J. Thompson, R. S. Houk,Appl. Spectrosc. 1987,41, 801.Google Scholar
  8. [8]
    W. Dohorty,Spectrochim. Acta, Part B 1989,44, 263.Google Scholar
  9. [9]
    M. A. Vaughan, G. Horlick,Appl. Spectrosc. 1986,40, 434.Google Scholar
  10. [10]
    S. H. Tan, G. Horlick,Appl. Spectrosc. 1986,40, 445.Google Scholar
  11. [11]
    A. L. Gray,Spectrochim. Acta, Part B 1986,41, 151.Google Scholar
  12. [12]
    H. Toghasi, A, Hashizume, Y. Niwa,Spectrochim. Acta, Part B 1992,47, 561.Google Scholar
  13. [13]
    M. A. Vaughan, G. Horlick,Spectrochim. Acta, Part B 1990,45, 1289.Google Scholar
  14. [14]
    A. L. Gray,J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 1992,7, 1151.Google Scholar
  15. [15]
    A. L. Gray, A. R. Date,Analyst 1983,108, 1033.Google Scholar
  16. [16]
    D. J. Douglas, J. B. French,J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 1988,3, 743.Google Scholar
  17. [17]
    J. A. Olivares, R. S. Houk,Anal. Chem. 1985,57, 2674.Google Scholar
  18. [18]
    H. P. Longerick,J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 1989,4, 491.Google Scholar
  19. [19]
    G. A. Vickers, D. A. Wilson, G. M. Hieftje,Spectrochim. Acta, Part B 1990,45, 499.Google Scholar
  20. [20]
    F. Vanhaecke, R. Dams, C. Vandecasteele,J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 1993,8, 433.Google Scholar
  21. [21]
    K. Lepla, M. A. Vaughan, G. Horlick,Spectrochim. Acta, Part B 1991,46, 967.Google Scholar
  22. [22]
    J. Goossens,Studie en Eliminatie van Spektrale en Niet-Spektrale Interferenties bij ICP-MS, Ph.D. Thesis, University Gent, 1994.Google Scholar
  23. [23]
    H. Vanhoe, J. Goossens, L. Moens, R. Dams,J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 1994,9, 177.Google Scholar
  24. [24]
    M. R. Plantz, J. S. Fritz, F. G. Smith, R. S. Houk,Anal. Chem. 1989,61, 149.Google Scholar
  25. [25]
    J. W. McLaren, A. P. Myktytiuk, S. N. Willie, S. S. Berman,Anal. Chem. 1985,57, 2907.Google Scholar
  26. [26]
    J. Goossens, R. Dams,J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 1992,7, 1167.Google Scholar
  27. [27]
    J. Versieck, L. Vanballenberghe, A. De Kesel, J. Hoste, B. Wallaeys, J. Vandenhaute, N. Baeck, F. W. Sunderman,Anal. Chim. Acta 1988,204, 63.Google Scholar
  28. [28]
    J. Goossens, L. Moens, R. Dams,J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 1993,8, 921.Google Scholar
  29. [29]
    F. Vanhaecke, J. Goossens, R. Dams, C. Vandecasteele,Talanta 1993,40, 975.Google Scholar
  30. [30]
    J. Marshall, J. Franks,J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 1991,6, 591.Google Scholar
  31. [31]
    P. Allain, L. Jaunault, Y. Mauras, J. M. Mermet, T. Delaporte,Anal. Chem. 1991,63, 1497.Google Scholar
  32. [32]
    J. Goossens, F. Vanhaecke, L. Moens, R. Dams,Anal. Chim. Acta 1993,280, 137.Google Scholar
  33. [33]
    E. H. Evans, L. Ebdon,J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 1989,4, 299.Google Scholar
  34. [34]
    J. M. Henshaw, E. M. Heithmar, T. A. Hinners,Anal. Chem. 1989,61, 335.Google Scholar
  35. [35]
    M. E. Ketterer, J. J. Reschl, M. J. Peters,Anal. Chem. 1989,61, 2031.Google Scholar
  36. [36]
    M. A. Vaughan, G. Horlick,Appl. Spectrosc. 1990,44, 587.Google Scholar
  37. [37]
    Y. Shao, G. Horlick,Appl. Spectrosc. 1991,45, 143.Google Scholar
  38. [38]
    J. Goossens, L. Moens, R. Dams,Talanta 1994,41, 187.Google Scholar
  39. [39]
    J. J. Thompson, R. S. Houk,Appl. Spectrosc. 1987,41, 801.Google Scholar
  40. [40]
    Z. Peng, H. Klinkenberg, T. Beeren, W. Van Borm,Spectrochim. Acta, Part B 1991,46, 1051.Google Scholar
  41. [41]
    K. Y. Patterson, C. Veillon, P. B. Moser-Veillon, G. F. Wallau,Anal. Chim. Acta 1992,258, 317.Google Scholar
  42. [42]
    K. Chiba, I. Inomoto, M. Saeki,J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 1992,7, 115.Google Scholar
  43. [43]
    H. P. Longerich,At. Spectrosc. 1989,10, 112.Google Scholar
  44. [44]
    A. A. van Heuzen, T. Hoekstra, B. van Wingerden,J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 1989,4, 483.Google Scholar
  45. [45]
    J. Goossens, T. De Smaele, L. Moens, R. Dams,Fresenius J. Anal. Chem. 1993,347, 119.Google Scholar
  46. [46]
    E. R. Denoyer, Q. Lu,At. Spectrosc. 1993,14, 162.Google Scholar
  47. [47]
    L. Ebdon, A. S. Fisher, P. J. Worsfold, H. Crews, M. Baxter,J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 1993,8, 691.Google Scholar
  48. [48]
    G. H. Vickers, B. S. Ross, G. M. Hieftje,Appl. Spectrosc. 1989,43, 1330.Google Scholar
  49. [49]
    J. Wang, E. H. Evans, J. Caruso,J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 1991,6, 605.Google Scholar
  50. [50]
    J. Goossens, L. Moens, R. Dams,Anal. Chim. Acta 1994,293, 171.Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1995

Authors and Affiliations

  • Richard F. J. Dams
    • 1
  • Jan Goossens
    • 1
  • Luc Moens
    • 1
  1. 1.Laboratory of Analytical ChemistryUniversity of Ghent, Institute for Nuclear SciencesGhentBelgium

Personalised recommendations