ICP-MS
Definition
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: the laboratory reference method for trace element quantification in food matrices. Uses high-temperature argon plasma to atomise and ionise the sample digest, with quadrupole or sector-field mass spectrometer detection at part-per-trillion levels. Reference method USEPA 6020B.
- Detection capability
- Parts-per-trillion (ppt) levels for most elements
- Reference method
- USEPA 6020B for food and trace-element analysis
- Instrumentation
- Quadrupole or sector-field mass spectrometer
Common questions
What is ICP-MS and what makes it useful in forensics?+
ICP-MS stands for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. It ionizes a sample using a high-temperature argon plasma, then measures elements by their mass-to-charge ratio. This gives forensic labs the ability to detect trace elements at part-per-trillion levels, making it sensitive enough to fingerprint samples based on their elemental profiles.
How does ICP-MS detect multiple elements at once?+
The technique atomizes and ionizes all elements in a sample digest simultaneously in the argon plasma. A quadrupole or sector-field mass spectrometer then separates and counts the resulting ions by their mass-to-charge ratio, allowing dozens of trace elements to be measured in a single analysis.
What is an example of ICP-MS used in forensic investigation?+
In timber analysis, ICP-MS measures trace element profiles that reflect the soil chemistry where the tree grew. These multi-element patterns serve as geographic fingerprints, helping investigators link wood samples to specific regions or growth sites.
Related terms
- ICP-OES
- Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry: the plasma excites atoms which emit element-specific wavelengths of light on returning to ground state; suited...
- AAS
- Atomic absorption spectrometry. Free ground-state atoms in a vapour absorb a characteristic resonance wavelength from a hollow-cathode lamp, and Beer-Lambert converts the...
- Acid-Insoluble Ash
- The fraction of a food's mineral content that does not dissolve in 10% hydrochloric acid, reflecting mineral adulterants (brick, sand, talc, soil)....
- Chloroplast Microsatellite (cpSSR)
- A short tandem repeat locus in the chloroplast genome. Maternally inherited and non-recombining in most trees, cpSSR haplotypes diverge geographically and are...
- Chondrite Normalisation
- The practice of dividing each REE concentration by the concentration of that element in a chondritic meteorite (or another reference material such...
- CRM
- Certified reference material. A matrix-matched material of known composition (NIST SRM 955c lead in caprine blood, SRM 1577c bovine liver) used to...
- Epidemic Dropsy
- The clinical syndrome caused by sanguinarine from argemone-oil-adulterated mustard oil: bilateral pitting oedema, erythema with brownish discolouration, glaucoma from trabecular meshwork permeability...
- FSSAI Manual of Methods
- The Indian reference method catalogue (Manual of Methods of Analysis of Foods), published by the Food Safety Division of the Ministry of...
- GFAAS
- Graphite-furnace AAS, also called electrothermal AAS. A graphite tube heated electrically through a programmed ramp atomises a microlitre aliquot, giving roughly 100...
- HHXRF
- Handheld X-ray fluorescence spectrometry: a portable elemental analysis method that detects characteristic X-ray emission from elements in the sample. Used for field...
- Ion Chromatography
- Ion-exchange separation with conductivity detection after a suppressor, used to quantitate inorganic anions and cations such as fluoride, oxalate, sodium and calcium.
- Isoscape
- A map of isotope ratio variation across a geographic area, derived from systematic sampling of soil, water, plant, or mineral material; used...
Explained in these topics
- DNA and Isotope Methods for TimberInductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Measures concentrations of dozens of trace elements simultaneously in a dissolved sample. Multi-element profiles...
- Edible Oils and Spices: Argemone Oil, Sudan Dyes and Lead Chromate in TurmericInductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: the laboratory reference method for trace element quantification in food matrices. Uses high-temperature argon pl...
- ICP-MS and ICP-OES: Trace-Element FingerprintingInductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: a technique that atomises and ionises a sample in an argon plasma, then separates and counts ions by mass-to-char...
- Inorganic Poison Analysis: AAS, ICP-OES, ICP-MS and Ion ChromatographyInductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The plasma ionises the analyte and a quadrupole or sector MS separates ions by m/z, giving ppt detection and isot...