Elemental analysis of natural water with ICP-MS and AFS

Determination of the following elements in wastewater and water solutions with high solid matter content with ICP-OES/MS (AFS is used for Hg measurement): Element LOQ (µg/L) Ag 1 Al 5 As 1 B 10 Ba 1 Be 0.2 Ca 50 Cd 0.2 Co 0.5 Cr 5 Cu 1 Fe 5 Hg 0.05 K 15 Li 1 Mg 10 Mn 0.5 Mo 1 Na 30 Ni 3 P 20 Pb 1 Sb 1 Se 5 Sn 1 Ti 5 Tl 0.5 U 0.1 V 5 Zn 2 The sample is digested with HNO3 in an autoclave before analysis. Detection limits may vary depending on sample properties. This method is suitable for wastewater samples that are relatively neutral (pH ~ 5-9). If the sample material is more acidic or alkaline, please select "Elemental analysis of liquid chemicals and process liquids by ICP-SFMS" instead of this method. An express turnaround option (~1 week) is available for a 50% surcharge. Ask our experts for more information through the form below.

This metal screening analysis includes the semi-quantitative determination of 70 elements. The method can be used, for example, to determine the background concentrations of metals in environmental samples or to study the elemental distribution of unknown samples. Screening is also often performed to assess which metals should be analyzed by a quantitative method. The measurement is performed using a high-resolution ICP-MS technique (ICP-SFMS), which can identify very low elemental concentrations. A semi-quantitative determination of the following elements is included: Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Bi, Br, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Hf, Hg, Ho, I, Ir, K, La, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, Os, P, Pb, Pd, Pr, Pt, Rb, Re, Rh, Ru, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Si, Sm, Sn, Sr, Ta, Tb, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, Tm, U, V, W, Y, Yb, Zn and Zr. However, please note that some elements may not be determinable due to matrix interference. During this semi-quantitative analysis, the instrument is calibrated for about 30 elements. The rest of the analytes are quantified using sensitivity factors for calibrated elements with similar mass and first ionization potential, considering isotope abundances. Quantitative analysis is also available at an additional price. During this analysis, all elements are calibrated (excluding halogens and Os). Please ask for an offer for this service.

The measurement determines the content of dissolved silica in ultrapure water using UV-Vis spectroscopy (molybdenum heteropolyblue method). The typical detection limit is 0.7 ppb (this only applies to ultrapure water, as samples with higher impurity levels must be diluted to avoid equipment saturation, which raises the LOQ). Samples must be collected in suitable sample containers designed for ultrapure water. Measurlabs can provide the required sample vessels upon request.

Determination of 36 elements in ultra-pure water with the ICP-MS technique. The measurement includes the following elements: Al, Sb, As, Ba, Be, Bi, B, Cd, Ca, Cr, Co, Cu, Ga, Ge, Au, Fe, Pb, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Nb, Pt, K, Ag, Na, Sr, Ta, Tl, Sn, Ti, W, V, Zn, and Zr. The expected LOQ varies from 0.001 to 0.009 ppb, depending on the element and the exact sample matrix. Samples must be collected in suitable containers designed for ultrapure water. Measurlabs can provide the required sample vessels.

Determination of total organic carbon (TOC) content of water samples. The results of the analysis will be reported in mg/l.

We have various testing services available for ultrapure water. Pricing depends on the selected parameters and the number of samples. Please contact Measurlabs to get an offer. Note that we will provide suitable shipping containers based on the analyses that are ordered. Trace elements by ICP-MS For the determination of elemental impurities, we offer a basic 36-element and an extended 67-element package. The basic package includes the following 36 elements: Li, Be, B, Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, As, Sr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ba, Ta, W, Pt, Au, Tl, Pb, and Bi. The extended analysis includes the following elements in addition to the basic package: Ce, Cs, Dy, Er, Eu, Gd, Hf, Ho, In, Ir, La, Lu, Hg, Nd, Os, Pd, Pr, Re, Rh, Rb, Ru, Sm, Sc, Se, Te, Tb, Th, Tm, U, Yb, and Y. Reporting limits depend on the element and specific sample matrix, but typically vary between 0.001 ppb and 0.6 ppb. For this analysis, samples must be delivered in Teflon containers. Hardness Hardness value can be calculated based on the ICP-MS results. Silicon and silica (Si, SiO2) Our service catalog includes the determination of total, dissolved, and colloidal silica (SiO2). Total silicon is analyzed using the ICP-OES technique, and dissolved silicon by UV-VIS (molybdenum heteropoly blue method). Colloidal silica is calculated as the difference between total silica and dissolved silica. Total organic and inorganic carbon (TOC and TIC) We offer TOC determination for ultrapure water samples with a 5 ppb quantification limit. For this analysis, samples must be delivered in certified 40 ml TOC vials. Total inorganic carbon (TIC) analysis can also be performed using a TOC analyzer. Anions by ion chromatography (IC) For anions, we have a basic package and a separate package for organic anions. The basic package includes the following anions: bromide(Br⁻), chloride (Cl⁻), fluoride (F⁻), nitrate (NO₃⁻), nitrite (NO₂⁻), phosphate (PO₄³⁻), and sulfate (SO₄²⁻). Analysis of organic anions includes: acetate, formate, glycolate, propionate, and butyrate. Reporting limits depend on the anion and sample matrix, but typically vary between 0.02 and 1 ppb for basic anions and are around 25 ppb for organic anions. For this analysis, samples must be delivered in HDPE bottles. Cations by ion chromatography (IC) The analysis package for cations includes the determination of the following cations: ammonium (NH4+), calcium (Ca2+), lithium (Li+), magnesium (Mg2+), potassium (K+), and sodium (Na+). Reporting limits typically vary between 2 ppb and 5 ppb. Samples must be delivered in HDPE bottles. PFAS compounds (24 compounds) Analysis includes PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS, and 20 other selected PFAS compounds. The complete list of compounds can be provided upon request. The reporting limit is typically 1 ng/L. The sample must be delivered in a plastic PFAS-free bottle, preferably made from HDPE.

Determination of dissolved hormones and pharmaceuticals in wastewater by UPLC-MS/MS according to ISO 21676, or by an in-house LC method. Samples must be stored and shipped below 8°C after sampling to preserve analyte stability. The analysis covers more than 150 pharmaceutical and hormone compounds, all with a typical LOQ of 0.1 µg/l. Examples include: Estriol, Ethinyl estradiol, 17β-Estradiol, Estrone, Sulfadiazine, Fenbendazole, Norfloxacin, Ofloxacin, Ciprofloxacin. The full list of analytes is available upon request. The method is commonly applied to monitor wastewater treatment performance, assess environmental emissions of pharmaceutical residues, and support monitoring under EU water quality frameworks.

ICP-OES measurement package for waste and construction material samples. The assay includes pre-treatment with aqua regia decomposition and the measurement of the following elements using the ICP-OES technique: Element Detection limit (mg/kg) Ag 0.5 As 0.5 Ba 0.2 Be 0.01 Cd 0.4 Co 0.2 Cr 0.5 Cu 1 Fe 10 Hg 0.2 Li 1 Mn 0.5 Mo 0.4 Ni 1 P 5 Pb 1 Sb 0.5 Se 2 Sn 1 Sr 0.1 Tl 0.5 V 0.1 Zn 3 The concentrations of the measured elements are reported in mg/kg d.m. The analysis is also available with a fast delivery turnaround time. Ask for an offer from our experts using the form below.

ICP-OES measurement package for soil, sludge, or sediment samples. Pre-treatment of the sample with aqua regia decomposition is included in the price. The following elements are quantified using the ICP-OES technique: Element Detection limit (mg/kg d.m.) Ag 0.5 As 0.5 Ba 0.2 Be 0.01 Cd 0.4 Co 0.2 Cr 0.5 Cu 1 Fe 10 Hg 0.2 Li 1 Mn 0.5 Mo 0.4 Ni 1 P 5 Pb 1 Sb 0.5 Sn 1 Sr 0.1 Tl 0.5 V 0.1 Zn 3 The concentrations are expressed in mg/kg d.m. A nutrient measurement package for soil, sludge, or sediment samples is also available. This package includes aqua regia decomposition pretreatment and the measurement of the following elements with the ICP-OES technique: Al, B, Bi, Ca, K, Mg, Na, S, Se, Si, Te, Ti, and Zr. The analysis is also available with an express turnaround time. Ask our experts for more information.

Determination of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen content of an organic sample. CHNS analysis (”LECO analysis”) is performed using a flash combustion method, where the sample is combusted under 25 kPa of O2 at an elevated temperature (1,000 °C), followed by gas chromatography separation and detection using a thermal conductivity detector. Oxygen is analyzed by reduction on granulated carbon at 1480 °C, utilizing high-temperature thermal decomposition and conversion of oxygen into carbon monoxide before gas chromatography separation and detection with a thermal conductivity detector. The sample can be either solid or liquid, but water in the sample affects the results. In the case of aqueous samples, it is possible to dry the sample before analysis. The displayed price includes the full CHNOS package with two parallel measurements and applies to conventional organic samples. The results are reported as wt-% of the initial sample. The addition of ash, drying, and dry loss measurements will increase the minimum required sample material to 300 mg. The analysis gives the total carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen content of the material, but it does not identify any chemical structures. The measurement can be combined with other methods, such as GC-MS, 1H, and 13C NMR, to perform substance structure identification. Analysis can be split into the following packages: CHN, O, and S.