Determination of Rare Earth Elements in Natural Water Samples by Rapid Sequential High-Resolution Continuum Source Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (HR CS FAAS) and inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

• Published in: Analytical letters 2019-09, Vol.52 (13), p.2057-2068
• Main Authors: Avila Wiethan, Bruna, Cícero do Nascimento, Paulo, Nunes Colim, Alexsandro, Fagundes Guarda, Ananda, Rovasi Adolfo, Franciele, da Rosa, Marcelo Barcellos, de Carvalho, Leandro Machado, Bohrer, Denise
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Absorption spectroscopy; Atomic absorption analysis; Atomic properties; Erbium; High resolution; High-resolution continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry (HR CS FAAS); Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry; inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS); Ionization; Ions; low sample consumption; Mass spectrometry; Plasma; Pretreatment; Rare earth elements; Scientific imaging; sequential determination; Ytterbium; Yttrium
• ISSN: 0003-2719; 1532-236X
• DOI: 10.1080/00032719.2019.1593430

A method was developed to sequentially assay ten rare earth elements by high-resolution continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The rare earth elements Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Y, and Sc were assayed in environmental water samples which were also analyzed by a reference inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry protocol. The samples did not require pretreatment or preconcentration. Interferences for the method were evaluated. Experimental parameters, including the flame composition, burner height, ionization buffers and number of pixels, were optimized. The volume necessary to run measurements in triplicate was only 15 mL per sample. The accuracy, precision and linear range were evaluated. The limits of detection ranged from 0.003 to 0.473 µg mL −1 for the most sensitive (Yb) to the least sensitive (Tb) element.