Spectroscopy Solutions has developed an on-demand version of its 'Applications and New Developments in ICP-MS and Related Techniques eSeminar'. This online educational event will provide those using these techniques updates and guidance on the latest methods, protocols, processes and developments with key experts providing practical insights into their respective fields.
In this presentation Simon Nelms from Thermo Fisher Scientific in the UK will explain the application and benefits of an intelligent on-line auto dilution system coupled with ICP-MS for rapid and efficient analysis of challenging samples in accordance with the trace element requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive.
Summary
The European Union Water Framework Directive (WFD) describes the requirements for ensuring water quality with respect to a range of organic and elemental contaminants in rivers, lakes, groundwater and coastal beaches across the European Union.
For the elemental contaminants listed in the WFD, the low detection levels specified necessitate use of ICP-MS technology. The samples that require testing have widely varying matrix concentrations and often contain suspended particles, which, for ICP-MS, can drive internal standard recoveries out of acceptable ranges and cause sample introduction blockages and signal drift. In addition, samples that contain analytes that exceed the calibration range even after dilution need to be identified post run and re-analysed after further dilution. Consistent sample preparation (including filtration, when required) is therefore a key requirement for ensuring good data quality and maintaining fast sample turnaround times. Diluting samples off-line is costly, time consuming and labour intensive, and can cause inconsistent results, so an alternative more efficient approach is required.
By viewing this presentation you will be able to:
- Understand the EU Water Framework Directive and its requirements for trace element analysis
- Discover the tools that are available for automating sample preparation for this analysis
- Learn how instrument software can be intelligently applied to handle higher matrix samples and results that exceed the calibration range
