Potential of liquid chromatography–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for trace metal speciation. Invited lecture

Liquid chromatography (LC) and supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) coupled with plasma mass spectrometry for ultra-trace level detection of metal-containing compounds are discussed. The compatibility of liquid and supercritical fluid flow rates with the plasma allows real-time chromatograms to be obtained. Different LC modes including reversed phase, ion exchange and size exclusion have been used in the separation of metal-containing species and some of these applications are discussed in this paper. Studies to date have developed potential methods for arsenic, mercury, lead, tin and chromium speciation. Sub-ng to pg detection is available with LC sample introduction into the plasma. Chromatographic methods which introduce samples as gases, such as SFC provide the best levels of detection, usually in the pg to sub-pg range.