Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry
A technique combining a plasma ion source with a mass spectrometer for ultra-trace multi-element analysis.
Unit
ppb
In depth
The argon plasma ionises almost every element efficiently, and the mass spectrometer then separates the ions by mass-to-charge ratio. Detection limits reach parts per trillion, and isotope ratios can be measured, which allows sample sources to be traced.
Examples in the real world
Screening drinking water for arsenic and cadmium; determining lead isotope ratios in forensic samples.