ABSTRACT
Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is a powerful analytical technology enabling highly sensitive elemental and isotopic analysis directly on solid samples. LA-ICP-MS begins with a laser beam focused on the sample surface to generate fine particles. LA-ICP-MS can perform ultra-highly sensitive chemical analysis down to ppb level, without any sample preparation. Laser ablation-based analytical techniques such as LIBS and LA-ICP-MS offer the ability to perform rapid chemical analysis directly from solid samples without the tedious and complex sample preparation involving toxic acid solutions. J.S. Becker et al. developed an analytical imaging technique using LA-ICP-MS to study element distribution in biological tissues. A LA-ICP-MS method was developed to determine Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg, and Pb and metal distribution in longitudinal tissue sections of the marine snail Nassarius reticulatus. Cadmium is one of the most widespread metals which is highly toxic, and can enter the human food chain directly via accumulation in nutritional plants.
