Determination of trace metals in concentrated brines using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry on-line preconcentration and matrix elimination with flow injection

Abstract

An on-line preconcentration matrix elimination procedure was developed for the analysis of concentrated brines by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Elements of interest (alkaline earths and first row transition metals) were concentrated quantitatively and isolated from the sodium chloride matrix using a chelating ion-exchange column. Two columns were evaluated, an in-house dynamically coated chelating exchange resin and a commercially available chelating resin. The method was applied to the determination of the metals in concentrated brines and the analysis of the Open Ocean Sea-water Reference Material NASS-3 (National Research Council of Canada). Linear calibrations were obtained in the concentration range of interest (µg l^–1) and excellent agreement with the certified reference values was obtained.