Development and validation of seaFAST-ICP-QMS method for determination of rare earth elements total concentrations in natural mineral waters

• Published in: Food chemistry 2022-09, Vol.388, p.133008-133008, Article 133008
• Main Authors: Agnieszka Wysocka, Irena, Kaczor-Kurzawa, Dorota, Porowski, Adam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry; Metals, Rare Earth - analysis; Method validation; Mineral Waters; Natural mineral waters; Rare earth elements; seaFAST-pico; Water provenance
• ISSN: 0308-8146; 1873-7072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.133008

•The seaFAST-ICP-QMS method is used for REE analyses in natural mineral waters.•Method validation and characteristic parameters are presented and discussed.•Potential of REE distribution in bottled waters for their authentication is shown.•REE patterns in native and bottled mineral waters are compared.•All REE concentrations in the reference samples SERMIN1 and VIDAC18 are presented. The method for determination of rare earth elements (REE: La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) total concentrations in mineral waters was developed and validated. The proposed method comprised inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) detection and the 10-fold off-line REE preconcentration. To improve the method sensitivity and selectivity, the major matrix components and elements causing severe spectral interferences (Ba and Sr) were removed by the seaFAST-pico chromatographic system. The assessed method performance characteristics showed low detection limits (0.02 ng/L−0.3 ng/L), high elements recoveries (98% ± 4%), good repeatability (3%−5%), and satisfactory uncertainties (8%−16%). The method usability was confirmed via analysis of available reference materials with different water matrices (SLRS-5, SLRS-6, CASS-5, SERMIN1, and VIDAC18) and natural mineral waters originated either directly from wells or bottles sold in supermarkets.