ABSTRACT
There are many different ways to carry out trace element analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), depending on reader’s data quality objectives. This chapter looks at the most important quantitation methods available in ICP-MS. The ability of ICP-MS to carry out isotopic measurements allows the technique to carry out quantitation methods that are not available to any other trace element technique. They include Quantitative analysis, Semiquantitative routines, Isotope dilution, Isotope ratio and internal standardization. As in other trace element techniques such as atomic absorption and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, quantitative analysis in ICP-MS is the fundamental tool used to determine analyte concentrations in unknown samples. There are slight variations in the way different instruments approach semiquantitative analysis, but the general principle is to measure the entire mass spectrum, without specifying individual elements or masses. It relies on the principle that each element's natural isotopic abundance is fixed.
