Survey Analyses of Trace Elements in Water by Spark Source Mass Spectrometry

The potential role of spark source mass spectrometry in water quality surveillance is perhaps not as widely appreciated as it should be. In this paper an attempt is made to explain what is unique about the technique and how it can augment other more widely used methods of analysis in the study of inorganic constituents of water.

At Chalk River it has been used to examine samples of water from several rivers, lakes, and streams. Most of the elements present in 100 ml of water in concentrations of at least one part in 10¹¹ can be determined in a single analysis.

To date most other comprehensive evaluations of trace element concentrations in water have suffered from a lack either of sensitivity or of broad elemental coverage. It is probable that spark source mass spectrometry can remedy both of these shortcomings. Thus, it can fulfill a path-finding role in studies of toxic, dietary significant, or other especially interesting trace elements.