Fast and Robust Analysis of Various Types of Waters by ICP-OES Following Method HJ 776-2015

Significance of the Topic

Access to clean and safe water is critical for public health, environmental protection and compliance with regulatory standards. Monitoring trace and major element levels in surface water, groundwater and industrial effluents is essential to detect pollution sources, assess treatment processes and ensure ecosystem sustainability.

Aims and Overview of the Study

This study evaluates the performance of the Agilent 5800 Vertical Dual View (VDV) ICP-OES equipped with an Advanced Valve System (AVS 7) for the determination of 32 elements in various water types in accordance with the Chinese standard HJ 776-2015. The goal was to demonstrate accurate, high‐throughput analysis across a wide concentration range, from ppb levels in natural waters to percentage levels in industrial wastewater.

Used Methodology and Instrumentation

The 5800 VDV ICP-OES was fitted with a SeaSpray concentric nebulizer, double-pass cyclonic spray chamber and Easy-fit demountable torch. An AVS 7 seven-port switching valve and SPS 4 autosampler accelerated sample introduction and reduced rinse times. The system employed a Vista Chip III CCD detector to capture full spectral coverage and support Agilent MultiCal software for multiple calibration segments per element. Key software features included IntelliQuant for rapid semi-quantitative screening, Neb Alert for nebulizer backpressure monitoring, Early Maintenance Feedback (EMF) for use-based maintenance alerts and Fitted Background Correction (FBC) for automated removal of spectral interferences.

Sample preparation followed HJ 676-2013 microwave digestion: 25 mL water sample acidified with HNO₃ and H₂O₂, digested and brought to 50 mL in 10% nitric acid. Calibration standards were prepared in a 10% HNO₃ matrix, grouping chemically compatible elements and covering concentration ranges up to 500 mg/L. Yttrium (5 mg/L) was used as an internal standard to correct for matrix effects.

Main Results and Discussion

Method detection limits (MDLs) for all wavelengths were below HJ 776-2015 requirements, ranging from sub-µg/L to low µg/L. The linear dynamic range extended up to 10,000 mg/L for selected lines, eliminating frequent dilutions. Certified reference materials (CWW-TM-D and NCS ZC 76307) and matrix spike recoveries were within ±10% of expected values. A 7.5-hour stability test with periodic quality control samples showed recoveries within 10% and relative standard deviations below 2.3%. IntelliQuant accurately recommended optimal analytical lines, while Neb Alert and EMF prevented downtime by alerting to nebulizer blockages and maintenance needs.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• High throughput: 57 seconds per sample cycle with minimal rinse time.
• Wide dynamic range: full ppb to percent levels without excessive dilutions.
• Reduced maintenance: AVS 7 design and EMF alerts minimize downtime and cleaning.
• Robust data quality: FBC and IntelliQuant ensure accurate, interference-free measurements.
• Regulatory compliance: meets Chinese HJ 776-2015 and similar international water analysis standards.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Advances may include integration of artificial intelligence for real-time spectral deconvolution, further miniaturization for field-deployable ICP-OES units, automation of full analytical workflows and coupling with online water monitoring networks for continuous environmental surveillance.

Conclusion

The Agilent 5800 VDV ICP-OES with AVS 7 demonstrated fast, precise and accurate multi-element analysis of diverse water matrices in line with HJ 776-2015. Its combination of high throughput, broad dynamic range and smart software tools ensures reliable operation for environmental and industrial water testing laboratories.

Reference

• World Health Organization. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).
• Chinese National Standard HJ 776-2015. Determination of 32 Elements by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry.
• Agilent Technologies. ICP Expert Software Features. Agilent Publication 5994-1517EN.
• Agilent Technologies. IntelliQuant and Neb Alert for ICP-OES. Agilent Publications 5994-1516EN, 5991-8452EN.
• Agilent Technologies. Early Maintenance Feedback for ICP-OES. Agilent Publication 5994-2164EN.
• Agilent Technologies. Fitted Background Correction for ICP-OES. Agilent Publication 5991-4836EN.