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Lowering the detection limit for arsenic: implications for a future practical quantitation limit
Author(s) -
Ferguson Megan A.,
Fernandez Diego P.,
Hering Janet G.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal ‐ american water works association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.466
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1551-8833
pISSN - 0003-150X
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8833.2007.tb08010.x
Subject(s) - detection limit , arsenic , inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry , mass spectrometry , chemistry , analytical chemistry (journal) , orbitrap , matrix (chemical analysis) , limit (mathematics) , chromatography , environmental chemistry , environmental science , mathematics , organic chemistry , mathematical analysis
The practical quantitation limit (PQL) for arsenic (As) is currently orders of magnitude higher than its nonenforceable, health‐based standard in California. Analytical limitations caused by chloride (Cl) interference can be overcome using high‐resolution, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP/MS), which has a method detection limit for As of 29 ng/L in the presence of 35.5 mg/L Cl. Increasing Cl concentration (0–355 mg/L) resulted in a nonlinear increase in the As signal. Therefore, standard addition was used to test four water samples with unknown As and Cl concentrations. Because standard addition is not suitable for routine analyses, further investigation of matrix effects and interferences is needed to optimize the application of high‐resolution ICP/MS for water quality testing. Nonetheless, broader adoption of this and other methods for trace As analysis could result in lowering of the PQL for As in the future, with consequent downward pressure on reporting levels.