UM Geosciences ICPMS Core Facility

University of Montana Center for Environmental Health Sciences
ICPMS Core Facility

ICPMS is an excellent tool for analysis of environmentally and toxicologically significant metals and metal complexes present in tissues and soils and waters relating to toxicological studies and experiments.

Analytical capabilities include:

Sub ppb concentration levels for 90% of the periodic table
Unique elemental m/z fingerprint that mass spectrometry provides gives the researcher the ability to see clearly beyond the interferences that may be caused by large organic molecules or the presence of interfering metal salts, organic and inorganic complexes or other ions in a sample matrix.

Sub ppt concentration levels for various elements including the rare earths and actinides.
Elements that were previously problematic in ICPMS analyses due to argon and argon compound interferences (i.e. Fe, As, Se) can be quantitated at levels well under 1 ppb.

Isotopic ratios
Identification and quanitation are based on m/z fingerprint as opposed to emission or absorption lines and detection limits for many elements are quite low. Therefore distinguishing between isotopes is straightforward using this technique.

Speciation of metal organic complexes using Liquid Chromatography coupled with ICPMS
HPLC-ICP/MS is used effectively to quantify the environmentally important species for a number of elements such as arsenic, selenium, zinc and lead at environmental levels.

Availability: The Perkin-Elmer Sciex ELAN DRCII ICP/MS interfaced with a Perkin-Elmer Series 200 HPLC is housed in the Geosciences Department CHCB 342 under the scientific direction of Dr. Johnnie N. Moore and technical direction of Donna Smith. Analysis of samples is performed by Ms. Smith on a project basis.

Charge-back: Rates per sample will be used as a maximum guideline for University of Montana researchers when developing experiments and sampling plans as described in the Availability section above. CEHS researchers receive a cost reduction. Other factors affecting batch analysis cost will be: number of samples, number of elements, frequency of sample events, nature of matrix, extent of routine method modification, duration of project and turnaround time required by researcher.

Contact:
Donna Smith
CHCB 368/342
406-243-5855
donna.smith@umontana.edu

Suggested base rate for ICP/MS analysis
(up to 4 elements in aqueous solutions)
$30/sample
Low-level isotope analyses/special methods
Hydride generator, isotope analyses
$50/sample
HPLC/ICP/MS Arsenic speciation
$ 90/sample

This facility was funded by a Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) Grant from the National Center for Research Resources P20-RR-017670

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ICPMS Laboratory CHCB Room 342
406-243-5855

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