Atomic Spectrometry and Mass Spectrometry for Trace Element Determination
This community develops and applies advanced spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques to measure the precise concentration of specific elements in complex samples. The work focuses on improving the sensitivity, speed, and accuracy of detection methods for trace metals and non-metals in various matrices.
The research centers on inductively coupled plasma (ICP) systems, including mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), as well as graphite furnace and flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Key methodological developments involve electrothermal vaporization, high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption, and tandem mass spectrometry. These techniques are applied to the accurate determination of trace elements such as cadmium, lead, and arsenic in diverse contexts, including crude oil, food products, and environmental samples. The recurring focus is on direct sampling methods, solid sampling, and the minimization of matrix effects to achieve reliable quantitative results for elemental analysis.
The largest share of the community's output is found in argon research, accounting for 1.6% of all argon-related papers, with 560 papers in this group. Lead and cadmium also represent significant portions, contributing 531 and 494 papers respectively, though they make up smaller shares of their respective element research.
The community comprises 10,387 papers, with the majority published in Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy, Analytical Chemistry, and Analytica Chimica Acta.
Recent work continues to focus on direct sampling techniques for food and environmental matrices, such as the determination of lead and cadmium in foods using solid sampling electrothermal vaporization, and the analysis of trace elements in glass and urban dust using neutron activation and direct sample analysis methods.