Summary of a calibration method for the determination of volatile metal(loid) compounds in environmental gas samples by using gas chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A calibration method was developed which allows a semi-quantitative determination of volatile heavy element species in environmental gas samples by using GC-ICP-MS. This method uses an aqueous element solution for the quantification of the volatile element species, as useful gaseous standards are not available. Rhodium was used as a continuous internal standard and was introduced into the plasma simultaneously with the gas sample during the entire analysis time. The method was evaluated by using different amounts of arsine (AsH) with mass flows in the ng s range. The recovery of AsH ranged from 81 to 105%. The detection limits for the elements measured (Ge, As, Se, Cd, Sn, Sb, Te, I, Hg, Pb, and Bi) were below 1 pg l.