Intensity- and time-based strategies for micro/nano-sizing via single-particle ICP-mass spectrometry: A comparative assessment using Au and SiO as model particles.

Background: Single-particle ICP-mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) is a powerful method for micro/nano-particle (MNP) sizing. Despite the outstanding evolution of the technique in the last decade, most studies still rely on traditional approaches based on (1) the use of integrated intensity as the analytical signal and (2) the calculation of the transport efficiency (TE). However, the increasing availability of MNP standards and advancements in hardware and software have unveiled new venues for MNP sizing, including TE-independent and time-based approaches.

Tracing isotopically labeled selenium nanoparticles in plants via single-particle ICP-mass spectrometry.

Agronomic biofortification using selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) shows potential for addressing selenium deficiency but further research on SeNPs-plants interaction is required before it can be effectively used to improve nutritional quality. In this work, single-particle inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) was used for tracing isotopically labeled SeNPs (SeNPs) in Oryza sativa L. tissues.

Development and initial evaluation of a combustion-based sample introduction system for direct isotopic analysis of mercury in solid samples via multi-collector ICP-mass spectrometry.

High-precision isotopic analysis of mercury (Hg) using multi-collector ICP-mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) is a powerful method for obtaining insight into the sources, pathways and sinks of this toxic metal. Modification of a commercially available mercury analyzer (Teledyne Leeman Labs, Hydra IIc - originally designed for quantification of Hg through sample combustion, collection of the Hg vapor on a gold amalgamator, subsequent controlled release of Hg and detection using cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry CVAAS) enabled the system to be used for the direct high-precision Hg isotopic analysis of solid samples using MC-ICP-MS - i.e.

Laser Ablation for Nondestructive Sampling of Microplastics in Single-Particle ICP-Mass Spectrometry.

In this work, laser ablation (LA) was characterized as a method for sampling and introducing microplastic particles (MPs) into an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) for subsequent C monitoring using an ICP-mass spectrometer operated in single-event mode. MPs of different types (PS, PMMA, and PVC) and sizes (2-20 μm) were introduced intactly. The laser energy density did not affect the particle sampling across a wide range (0.

Oxidation-assisted alkaline precipitation: the effect of HO on the size of CuO and FeOOH nanoparticles.

HO was demonstrated to narrow the size distribution and decrease the size of CuO and hydrous FeOOH (2-line ferrihydrite) nanoparticles under conditions of high supersaturation. We introduce oxidation-assisted alkaline precipitation (Ox-AP) and compare it to traditional alkaline precipitation (AP). While for AP, a metal salt solution (, CuCl) is mixed with an alkali (, NaOH), for Ox-AP, the more reduced form of that metal salt solution (, CuCl) is simultaneously mixed with that alkali and an oxidant (, HO).

On the effect of using collision/reaction cell (CRC) technology in single-particle ICP-mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS).

In this work, the effects of using collision/reaction cell (CRC) technology in quadrupole-based ICP-MS (ICP-QMS) instrumentation operated in single-particle (SP) mode have been assessed. The influence of (i) various CRC gases, (ii) gas flow rates, (iii) nanoparticle (NP) sizes and (iv) NP types was evaluated using Ag, Au and Pt NPs with both a traditional ICP-QMS instrument and a tandem ICP-mass spectrometer. It has been shown that using CRC technology brings about a significant increase in the NP signal peak width (from 0.

High-precision isotopic analysis sheds new light on mercury metabolism in long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas).

Whales accumulate mercury (Hg), but do not seem to show immediate evidence of toxic effects. Analysis of different tissues (liver, kidney, muscle) and biofluids (blood, milk) from a pod of stranded long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) showed accumulation of Hg as a function of age, with a significant decrease in the MeHg fraction. Isotopic analysis revealed remarkable differences between juvenile and adult whales.

Tracing Mercury Pollution along the Norwegian Coast via Elemental, Speciation, and Isotopic Analysis of Liver and Muscle Tissue of Deep-Water Marine Fish ( Brosme brosme).

Liver and muscle tissue of tusks ( Brosme brosme) have been analyzed for their THg and MeHg concentrations and Hg isotopic signatures for tracing Hg pollution along the Norwegian coast. Clear differences between tissue types and locations were established. At five of the eight locations, the Hg concentration in muscle exceeded the maximum allowable level of 0.

Assessment of Hg Pollution Released from a WWII Submarine Wreck (U-864) by Hg Isotopic Analysis of Sediments and Cancer pagurus Tissues.

Hg pollution released from the U-864 submarine sunk during WWII and potential introduction of that Hg into the marine food chain have been studied by a combination of quantitative Hg and MeHg determination and Hg isotopic analysis via cold vapor generation multicollector inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (CVG-MC-ICP-MS) in sediment and Cancer pagurus samples. The sediment pollution could be unequivocally linked with the metallic Hg present in the wreck. Crabs were collected at the wreck location and 4 nmi north and south, and their brown and claw meat were analyzed separately.

An in-depth evaluation of accuracy and precision in Hg isotopic analysis via pneumatic nebulization and cold vapor generation multi-collector ICP-mass spectrometry.

Mercury (Hg) isotopic analysis via multi-collector inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) can provide relevant biogeochemical information by revealing sources, pathways, and sinks of this highly toxic metal. In this work, the capabilities and limitations of two different sample introduction systems, based on pneumatic nebulization (PN) and cold vapor generation (CVG), respectively, were evaluated in the context of Hg isotopic analysis via MC-ICP-MS. The effect of (i) instrument settings and acquisition parameters, (ii) concentration of analyte element (Hg), and internal standard (Tl)-used for mass discrimination correction purposes-and (iii) different mass bias correction approaches on the accuracy and precision of Hg isotope ratio results was evaluated.