Biomonitoring of essential and toxic elements in small biological tissues by ICP-MS

A method for trace elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, U, V and Zn) determination in small amounts of animal tissues using aerosol desolvation and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry is presented. A micronebulizer/desolvator system (APEX) and a MicroMist nebulizer fitted to a minicyclonic spray chamber are used for introducing the sample solution in the plasma of a quadrupole ICP-MS espectrometer. The nebulizers are compared with respect to limits of detection (LODs) and sensitivity, showing that both parameters are improved for most investigated elements by using the micronebulizer/desolvator system. Slug specimens were analysed and it was observed that most investigated elements were enriched in the salivatory or digestive glands of the slugs. This work demonstrates the employment of micronebulizer/desolvator systems and ICP-QMS spectrometers are useful for quantification of toxic and essential elements in small amounts of animal tissues.