Evaluation of isotope dilution and electrothermal vaporization (ETV) introduction system for the multielemental determination in fertilizers via DRC-ICP-MS using CH3F as a reaction gas

Abstract

The analysis of fertilizers by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) can be affected by the complex composition of the matrix, which may cause non-spectral and spectral interferences and, consequently, impairs accuracy and precision. In this context, dynamic reaction cell (DRC) with methyl fluoride (CH3F) as reaction gas and electrothermal vaporization (ETV) have been used as alternatives to overcome spectral interferences. On the other hand, to compensate for non-spectral interferences, isotope dilution (ID) has demonstrated its possibilities. Thus, the goal of this project is to evaluate the combination of ID and DRC-ICP-MS, whenever feasible, for the determination of As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni and Pb in the analysis of liquid and slurry fertilizer samples. ETV will also be evaluated as sample introduction system for direct solid and slurries sampling aiming at the quantification of the same elements by means of DRC-ICP-MS. (AU)