APPLICATION OF FLOW-INJECTION SAMPLE INTRODUCTION TO INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA MASS-SPECTROMETRY FOR GEOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS

The use of a flow injection (FI) sample introduction system with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is shown to have several advantages. Sample throughput may be increased by optimizing uptake and washout cycles. Small volume samples, such as fluid inclusions extracted by the crush-leach technique, may be analysed. Dissolved solids contents can be increased from 0.2-2% w/v for conventional sample introduction, to 5-10% w/v for flow injection. Matrix suppression effects, produced by high salt content solutions, such as brines, may be reduced by changing the dispersion of the flow injection system. Finally, improved detection for FI-ICP-MS limits are illustrated by, the determination of the platinum-group metals in standard reference peridotite PCC-1, where values in the range 0.03-0.3 ng g-1 were obtained.