Abstract
A rapid and simple analytical method for the determination of transition metals and rare earth elements at sub-ng/g levels in alkaline and earth alkaline salt matrices was developed. Automated solid-phase extraction was utilized for matrix separation and analyte preconcentration from highly concentrated brine solutions. The HPLC system used was equipped with a chelation column packed with an iminodiacetate-based resin. Detection was accomplished by means of high-resolution inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), which allowed quasi-simultaneous multi-element determinations. A microconcentric nebulizer was employed for HR-ICP-MS to determine the elements of interest in small volumes of sample extracts. The method was shown to be very sensitive with limits of quantification in the range of 1–40 ng/g for all investigated elements. The method exhibited excellent precisions, high analyte recoveries, linear responses of least three orders of magnitude, high accuracy and low contamination susceptibility. A comparison of automated solid-phase extraction with methodologies utilizing traditional liquid-liquid extraction showed that the former offered similar analytical performance but was clearly easier to use and faster to perform, resulting in substantial time, labor and cost savings.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: 12 February 1999 / Revised: 23 March 1999 / Accepted: 25 March 1999
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Keil, O., Dahmen, J. & Volmer, D. Automated matrix separation and preconcentration for the trace level determination of metal impurities in ultrapure inorganic salts by high-resolution ICP-MS. Fresenius J Anal Chem 364, 694–699 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002160051416
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002160051416