Improving Productivity Through Innovation in Environmental Contaminant Testing Using ICP-MS

Metals Analyses
Oral Presentation

Presented by M. Allin
Prepared by B. Surekar, D. Kutscher
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Hanna-Kunnath Strabe 11, Bremen, Bremen, 28199, Germany


Contact Information: [email protected]; +4942154933498

ABSTRACT

Monitoring inorganic contamination is key to protect the environment from contamination and to keep water resources safe. Environmental laboratories are under pressure to realize analysis in a cost-effective manner and report high quality results with quick turnaround. Simplicity of instrumentation set up and operation is also a key requirement to enable efficiency and analysts to switch between different the operation of different analytical techniques in the laboratory.

Environmental sample analysis by ICP-MS I performed according to the procedures and requirements of EPA Method 200.8 for drinking water compliance monitoring, and EPA method 6020B (SW-846) for solid and other types of waste. Both methods entail comprehensive quality control requirements to ensure data quality. Typical samples are variable in salt content, posing a significant challenge for analysis. Matrix effects can affect data quality, but also lead to productivity breakdowns, as specific sample types may require different sample preparation or sample dilutions. Subsequently, samples containing elevated amounts of total dissolved solids often lead to increased maintenance requirements.

Improved handling of different sample matrices is imperative for productivity. This applies to analysis within a sequence encompassing variable sample matrices and longer term, covering multiple days of instrument operation. Furthermore, streamlining overall workflows, such as sample preparation and handling, will save resources and free up the analyst’s time to complete other laboratory task or develop new methods to expand capabilities.

This presentation will describe how innovative tools can simplify the analysis of complex, high matrix samples by ICP-MS. The key focus will be to demonstrate how increased robustness to handle demanding matrices greatly increases productivity through reduced sample reruns and dramatically reduced instrument maintenance and downtime.