Coupling of ICP-MS with ion chromatography after conductivity suppression for the determination of anions in natural and waste waters

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Abstract
The coupling of ICP-MS with ion chromatography after conductivity suppression has been performed and compared with conductivity detection for the determination of several inorganic anions (IO3 −, Cl−, ClO3 −, BrO3 −, Br−, HPO4 2−, SO4 2−) in water samples. The elimination of the sodium ions from the eluent in the suppressor column allowed direct ICP-MS detection using 15 mM Na2CO3–7 mM NaHCO3 as eluent without clogging problems in the nebuliser or sampling cone. Additionally, the use of both conductivity and ICP-MS detection allowed the on-line identification of the anions previously detected by conductivity. Analytical performance characteristics of both detection systems were evaluated showing that SO4 2−, Cl− and ClO3 − are better detected by conductivity while BrO3 −, Br− and IO3 − are better detected by ICP-MS. Only HPO4 2− showed similar detection limits for both systems. Using a 500 µl sample loop and ICP-MS the detection limit for BrO3 − was 1 ng ml−1, which is well below the required detection limit for this anion. The method was applied to the determination of inorganic anions in different water samples with satisfactory results.

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