Use of the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for element analysis of environmental objects

Capabilities and limits of the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) are discussed by the examples of element analysis of natural and drinking water, soils, ground, bottom sediments, phytogenous samples, and aerosols. It is shown that this method in combination with simpler atomic-emission technique allows for widening the range of detected elements, simplify the mass-spectrometry analysis, and improve its reliability. Examples and metrological characteristics of techniques for studying various environmental objects are discussed.