AGILENT 710 SERIES ICP-OES

Importance of the Topic

Atomic spectroscopy by ICP-OES delivers rapid multi-element analysis with a broad dynamic range, making it indispensable for environmental monitoring, industrial process control and regulatory compliance (WEEE, RoHS).

Objectives and Scope of the Document

This application note presents the capabilities of Agilent’s 710 Series ICP-OES, comparing axial (710) and radial (715) configurations and illustrating their performance in routine determinations of major, minor and trace elements across diverse sample types.

Used Instrumentation

• Agilent 710 Series ICP-OES (axial view) with solid-state CCD detector and Cooled Cone Interface (CCI)
• Agilent 715 Series ICP-OES (radial view) for high dissolved-salt and organic matrices
• Accessory modules: VGA for mercury, SPS autosampler, SVS switching valve, AGM system for organic matrices, USN nebulizer

Methodology and Measurement Features

• Simultaneous acquisition over 175–785 nm via a cooled CCD array and prism cross-disperser for high resolution without moving parts
• Cooled Cone Interface to remove the cool plasma tail, reducing self-absorption and interference
• Sub-10 min warm-up time for rapid stabilization of key elements (Ar, Ba, Mg, Zn)
• MultiCal extends the linear dynamic range from parts-per-billion to percent levels in one measurement
• FACT algorithm for post-analysis spectral interference resolution and fitted background correction

Main Results and Discussion

• Four-hour stability study in kerosene showed ppm-level precision across 21 elements in the 715 radial system
• European Reference Material EC681 (polyethylene) recoveries for Hg, Cd, Pb, Cr were within certified ranges after 100× dilution
• USEPA ILM05.3 compliance: 22 elements in environmental waters measured in 3 min 34 s with recoveries of 95–108% on the axial system
• Extended dynamic range eliminates dual-view measurements while maintaining sensitivity for both major and trace analytes

Benefits and Practical Applications

• One-step analysis of major, minor and trace elements improves throughput and lowers operating costs
• Robust plasma tolerates organic solvents, industrial waste and high dissolved-salt matrices with minimal sample prep
• Intuitive worksheet-based software with real-time diagnostics, MultiCal and FACT simplifies method development and QC
• Low detection limits and high reproducibility support environmental testing, food safety and industrial quality assurance

Future Trends and Opportunities

Further automation and enhanced autosamplers will boost throughput and reduce manual intervention.
AI-driven spectral deconvolution and cloud-based data analysis could improve interference correction and data integrity.
Development of compact, field-deployable ICP-OES systems may enable on-site multi-element testing.

Conclusion

Agilent’s 710 and 715 Series ICP-OES instruments combine rapid warm-up, extended dynamic range and robust plasma performance to deliver accurate, reliable multi-element analysis for laboratories addressing environmental, industrial and regulatory challenges.

References

No external literature cited beyond Agilent Technologies product documentation.