Robust and consistent data acquisition for the analysis of water samples using ICP-MS

Importance of the Topic

The analysis of drinking water for trace elements is critical for public health compliance and environmental monitoring. Achieving robust and consistent performance in routine analytical workflows ensures reliable data, reduces downtime, and maintains laboratory productivity over extended operation periods.

Objectives and Study Overview

This study evaluated the long-term robustness of the Thermo Scientific iCAP RQ ICP-MS system over six weeks of unattended operation, analyzing locally collected tap water samples. The goal was to verify stability in instrument performance, maintenance schedules, and quality control (QC) compliance under regulated method requirements.

Methodology and Instrumentation

• Instrument: Thermo Scientific iCAP RQ ICP-MS with Teledyne CETAC ASX 560 autosampler.
• Sample preparation: Tap water acidified to 2% HNO3, spiked with 100 ng/mL Au as mercury stabilizer.
• System configuration: Glass concentric MicroMist nebulizer, quartz cyclonic spray chamber, quartz injector, exchangeable Ni cones, High Matrix skimmer insert.
• Calibration: Multi-element curves across six concentration levels (e.g., Na 10–25000 µg/L; Be–U 0.1–250 µg/L).
• QC protocol: Daily performance reports in No Gas and KED modes; acceptance criteria: internal standard recovery 60–130%, QC standard recovery 80–120%, oxide ratio <2.0%, doubly charged ratio <3.0%.
• Maintenance: Weekly visual inspections; as-indicated cleaning of sample introduction components and cones; automatic autotune as needed.

Main Results and Discussion

• Over 27 operating days, nearly 4 000 samples were acquired with no significant downtime.
• System sensitivity exceeded specifications by 11–44% even on lowest-sensitivity days.
• Daily internal standard and QC checks remained within regulatory limits; average QC recovery across >200 checks showed <±6% RSD.
• Automated QC management in Qtegra ISDS Software enabled unattended operation, rapid identification of issues (e.g., nebulizer blockage) and prompt corrective actions (autotune, cleaning).

Benefits and Practical Applications

The demonstrated robustness and ease of maintenance allow laboratories to implement high-throughput ICP-MS analysis of drinking water and other regulated matrices with minimal downtime. Automated QC workflows ensure data integrity and efficient troubleshooting, optimizing lab productivity and resource utilization.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Ongoing developments in ICP-MS hardware and software could further enhance automation, real-time diagnostics, and remote monitoring capabilities. Integration of advanced data analytics and AI-driven QC protocols may reduce manual interventions and predict maintenance needs.

Conclusion

The iCAP RQ ICP-MS platform delivers stable, reliable performance for extended unattended operation, meeting stringent regulatory requirements for drinking water analysis. Its modular design and automated QC features support consistent data quality and high throughput in routine analytical settings.

Reference

• Surekar B., Cojocariu C., Kutscher D. Robust and consistent data acquisition for the analysis of water samples using ICP-MS. Thermo Fisher Scientific Technical Note TN44481 (2021).