Plasma mass spectrometry as a detector for chemical speciation studies.

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), when coupled with the unique separating power of various chromatographic techniques, allows the detection of various elements at ultra-trace levels. The investigation of various toxic elements of environmental concern coupling relatively recent techniques, such as supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE), to ICP-MS, is discussed. Comparisons have been made with detection limits obtained by using the flame ionization detector. The conventional technique of liquid chromatography for the speciation of vanadium, chromium and nickel is also discussed.