ICP-OES and ICP-MS Detection Limit Guidance
Group
1
IA
1
4
Li
10
5
0.1
0.05
Period
4
Mg
5
25
1
0.5
2.5
0.1
0.05
20
K
Ca
100
50
1
0.5
37
5
38
Rb
Sr
50
25
0.1
0.05
5
2.5
0.1
0.05
55
6
56
Cs
40000
20000
0.1
0.05
ICP-OES (µg/L)
ICP-OES (µg/g)
ICP-MS (µg/L)
ICP-MS (µg/g)
4
IVB
22
5
VB
23
6
VIB
24
5
2.5
0.1
0.05
5
2.5
0.1
0.05
5
2.5
0.1
0.05
5
2.5
0.1
0.05
Sc
39
Li
10
5
0.1
0.05
Ti
40
Y
Zr
5
2.5
0.1
0.05
5
2.5
0.1
0.05
72
Hf
50
25
0.1
0.05
Ra
3
Symbol
3
IIIB
21
88
Atomic
Number
V
41
Nb
50
25
0.1
0.05
73
Ta
50
25
0.1
0.05
Cr
42
Mo
10
5
0.1
0.05
74
W
50
25
0.1
0.05
7
VIIB
25
Mn
5
2.5
0.1
0.05
43
Tc
75
Re
10
5
0.1
0.05
8
26
Fe
44
5
2.5
1
0.5
Ru
50
25
0.1
0.05
76
Os
5
2.5
0.1
0.05
9
VIII
27
Co
5
2.5
0.1
0.05
45
Rh
100
50
0.1
0.05
77
Ir
50
25
0.1
0.05
10
28
Ni
5
2.5
0.1
0.05
46
Pd
50
25
0.1
0.05
78
Pt
50
25
0.1
0.05
11
IB
29
Cu
5
2.5
0.1
0.05
47
Ag
5
2.5
0.1
0.05
79
Au
50
25
0.1
0.05
12
IIB
30
Zn
5
2.5
0.1
0.05
48
Cd
5
2.5
0.1
0.05
80
Hg
50
25
0.1
0.05
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
La
10
5
0.1
0.05
89
Ac
Db
Ce
50
25
0.1
0.05
90
Th
50
25
0.1
0.05
Sg
Pr
50
25
0.1
0.05
91
Pa
Bh
Hs
Mt
Nd
Pm Sm
50
50
25
0.1
0.05
92
U
500
250
0.1
0.05
93
Np
25
0.1
0.05
94
Ds
Eu
10
5
0.1
0.05
95
Rg
Gd
50
25
0.1
0.05
96
B
10
13
105
Rf
13
IIIA
5
0.1
0.05
104
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5
prep volume
These detection limits are theoretical best case scenarios assuming there are no spectral interferences
affecting the best isotope or wavelength for a given element. For any given determination, the actual method
detection limit can be an order of magnitude higher or more. Use this as a guide, not absolute information.
5
2.5
0.1
0.05
Fr
50 ml
[sol conc (µg/L) * prep vol (L)] / sample mass (g) = sample concentration in ppm wt (µg/g)
Ba
87
7
5
2.5
1
0.5
sample mass
To convert mg/L to ppm wt, use the following calculation:
12
Na
50
19
0.1 g
2.5
0.1
0.05
11
3
Be
5
Lanthanides
3
2
IIA
Actinides
1
2
2
H
Al
20
10
0.1
0.05
31
Ga
50
25
0.1
0.05
49
In
50
25
0.1
0.05
81
Tl
50
25
0.1
0.05
Cn
Tb
50
25
0.1
0.05
97
Pu Am Cm Bk
6
14
IVA
C
14
Si
20
32
10
1
0.5
Ge
50
25
0.1
0.05
50
Sn
50
25
0.1
0.05
82
Pb
50
25
0.1
0.05
114
7
15
VA
N
15
33
P
100
50
1
0.5
As
50
25
0.1
0.05
51
Sb
50
25
0.1
0.05
83
Bi
100
50
0.1
0.05
Fl
66
Dy
10
5
0.1
0.05
98
Cf
67
Ho
10
5
0.1
0.05
99
Es
8
16
VIA
O
16
S
34
Se
50
25
0.1
0.05
52
Te
50
25
0.1
0.05
84
Po
9
17
VIIA
F
17
Cl
n/a
35
n/a
10
5
Br
53
85
n/a
n/a
1
0.5
I
n/a
n/a
1
0.5
At
18
VIIIA
He
10
Ne
18
Ar
36
Kr
54
Xe
86
Rn
116
Lv
68
Er
10
5
0.1
0.05
100
69
Tm
10
5
0.1
0.05
101
Fm Md
70
Yb
10
5
0.1
0.05
102
No
71
Lu
10
5
0.1
0.05
103
Lr
Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy
The Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy techniques typically analyze materials in liquid form.
In plasma emission spectroscopy (OES), a sample solution is introduced into the core of an inductively coupled argon plasma (ICP), which generates a temperature
on the order of 10,000°C. At this temperature all elements become thermally excited and emit light at their characteristic wavelengths. This light is collected by
the spectrometer and passes through a diffraction grating that serves to resolve the light into a spectrum of its constituent wavelengths. Within the spectrometer,
this diffracted light is then collected by wavelength and amplified to yield an intensity measurement that can be converted to an elemental concentration by
comparison with calibration standards.
In plasma mass spectroscopy (MS), the inductively coupled argon plasma (ICP) is once again used as an excitation source for the elements of interest. However
in contrast to OES, the plasma in ICP-MS is used to generate ions that are then introduced to the mass analyzer. These ions are then separated and collected
according to their mass to charge ratios. The constituents of an unknown sample can then be identified and measured. ICP-MS offers extremely high sensitivity
to a wide range of elements.
Strengths
Limitations
Up to 70 elements can be determined simultaneously in a single sample
analysis.
The emission spectra are complex and inter-element interferences are possible
if the wavelength of the element of interest is very close to that of another
element.
The useful working range is over several orders of magnitude.
In mass spectrometry, determination and quantification of certain elements
can be affected by interference from polyatomic species, matrix elements and
atmospheric elements.
Instrumentation is suitable to automation, thus enhancing accuracy, precision
and throughput.
The sample to be analyzed must be digested prior to analysis in order to
determine the element(s) of interest.
ICP-MS
ICP-OES
I+
liquid
liquid
plasma
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Copyright ©2014 Evans Analytical Group • 05/14 BR023
hν
I+
plasma
hν