NT4OP | Applications of Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) for Environmental Problems

Episode 5: Applications of Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) for Environmental Problems

Experts: John Olesik & Paolo Gabrielli

Ohio State boasts state-of-the art facilities and world-leading expertise in Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), one of the most versatile tools for elemental quantification, and with possible applications over a broad range of Earth, environmental and health sciences. John Olesik, leader of OSU's Trace Element Research Laboratory in the School of Earth Sciences, presents the capabilities of single particle ICP-MS, which allows measurement of individual nanoparticles and microparticles, ICP-collision/reaction cell MS, which improves measurement of ultra-trace elements, and laser ablation ICP-MS, which allows spot analysis or elemental mapping of solid samples including thin sections. Paolo Gabrielli, a researcher in the Byrd Center's Ice Core Paleoclimatology Group, presents techniques for conducting ultra-trace element analysis in aqueous samples down to the sub-femtogram per gram level, and direct determination of ultra-low Rare Earth Elements concentrations in water matrices.