Application Notes: General

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a versatile multi-elemental analysis technique that is widely used across various sectors due to its high sensitivity and selectivity. Many environmental, food, pharmaceutical, and material testing laboratories that rely on high-throughput methods have benefited from the robustness, reliability, and high performance of Agilent ICP-MS instruments. As laboratories look to further reduce inefficiencies in their workflows and lower demands on staff, there is a shift towards automating manual tasks to improve overall productivity.

To manage the large sample loads that are typical of many environmental testing laboratories, ICP-OES users need instruments that deliver fast sample-to-sample analysis times, while generating consistently high-quality results. Agilent has developed the Advanced Dilution System (ADS 2) for Agilent ICP-OES (and ICP-MS) instruments. The ADS 2 is an intelligent autodilution system, which includes an Advanced Valve System (AVS). The system improves the productivity of ICP-OES workflows by automating many manual tasks throughout the analytical sequence.

Discover the benefits of SRC technology compared with traditional rotor-based systems for sample digestion in the mining and geochemical industries.

Mercury content in fish is an environmental and food safety concern. Learn how fish tissue analysis is performed with no sample prep using DMA-80 evo.

This industry report offers examples of how universities successfully incorporated DMA-80 evo as a safe, green, effective technology for mercury determination in teaching and research programs.

This industry report shows how DMA-80 evo can analyze soils, sediments, sludges, groundwaters, and surface waters according to EPA SW-846 method 7473 without any digestion or other sample prep in less than 6 minutes.

This application report describes how DMA-80 evo can be used to determine mercury in coal samples in compliance with ASTM method 6722-01.

PhaseTech's new Volt IR makes e-chem measurements easier because it works in transmission geometry. Plasmonic windows are the electrodes and enhance signals.

This paper explores the benefits of advanced UV spectroscopy for water quality management, including real-time monitoring and fast measurements.

Learn how Direct Mercury Analysis by thermal decomposition and amalgamation provides an accurate and easy to use technique that overcomes to limitations of ICP-MS.

This study aimed to assess the levels of phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) in various popular bottled waters compared to tap water. Additionally, it investigated whether exposure to high temperatures, akin to those in a car during summer, would elevate these levels. Using GC/MS analysis, samples were examined. Results showed that phthalates and BPA were either absent or well below safety thresholds in all bottled and tap water samples. Moreover, heating did not significantly affect phthalate concentrations, and BPA was undetectable in all samples.

The science and art of gardening and agriculture is part passion, part luck and a lot of chemistry. In this podcast, we will take a look at the science of soil and how chemistry can affect the growth and health of plants. We will also take a look at sources of potential contamination in gardens and how those contaminants can be tested and remediated. Hosted by Patricia Atkins, Manager, Global Product at Spex®.

Bottled water has evolved from a trendy luxury to a global consumer staple, with significant growth projected by 2012. In the U.S., consumption has soared, with safety concerns and substitution driving its popularity. Developing nations also rely on bottled water for safety. This study aims to address debated issues surrounding BPA and phthalate exposure in consumer water sources: 1. Are BPA and phthalates present in bottled water? 2. Does exposure to high temperatures increase leaching of BPA or phthalates? 3. Are levels in municipal or filtered water significantly different from bottled water?

This survey shows how Raman imaging can characterize food samples to help understand the products and production processes.

Single cell ICP-MS (scICP-MS) is increasingly seen as a powerful and fast tool for the measurement of elements in individual cells, mainly due to the high sensitivity and selectivity of ICP-MS. Analysis is performed in the same way as single nanoparticle (spICP-MS) analysis, which has become a well-established technique for the analysis of nanoparticles and particles.

Watch this video featuring Darren Robey and Dr. Wesam Alwan from Agilent Technologies to gain insights into the future trends shaping microplastics research and the challenges of their characterization. Discover the essential components necessary for accurate microplastics analysis and learn how the Agilent 8700 LDIR system addresses these challenges. Offering rapid and precise analysis capabilities, along with easy sample preparation methods that minimize contamination, the Agilent 8700 LDIR system is at the forefront of advancing microplastics research.

This application note discusses how the adverse effects of sample matrix can be circumvented with an analytical workflow that includes robust ICP-MS instrumentation offering comprehensive yet simplified analysis of samples containing high dissolved solids such as soil digests, wastewater and solid wastes. The data presented in this application note was generated over 12 hours with over 160 samples covering soil extracts and a variety of water samples.

Comprehensive guide containing best practices, proven strategies, and solutions for the entire trace elemental analysis workflow, starting with an introduction to environmental analysis, getting started with ICP-MS, and then workflow topics: sample and standard preparations, instrument calibration strategies, pre-analysis inspections, instrument optimization, data analysis and troubleshooting, and general maintenance. The guide emphasizes the importance of streamlining workflow to obtain accurate, reliable results. It’s an all-encompassing practical resource guide that also include links to pages online for the recommended laboratory apparatus, reagents, and standard solutions for convenience of the reader. The eBook has a related resource section with a curated list of relevant education resources such as app notes, technical notes, product brochures, and links to our environmental learning center pages.

This application note describes the analytical workflow developed for the analysis of water samples over an extended period using the latest innovations in ICP-MS instrumentation. The innovations specifically highlighted in this app note are the next generation Argon Gas Dilution accessory, which simplifies the analysis of high matrix samples allowing direct analysis without prior manual diution; the HAWK consumables and maintenance assistant within the Qtegra ISDS software; the new Easy-click compact (ECC) peristaltic pump; and the new Thermo Scientific autosampler, the iSC-65 autosampler.

This application note details the analysis of various brine solutions, containing up to 25% w/w dissolved salt, using robust ICP-MS instrumentation operated with the next generation Argon Gas Dilution (AGD) accessory. These high matrix samples were analyzed directly, without manual dilution, eliminating error prone and time- consuming preparation and handling steps. The developed method was rigorously tested for performance and reliability demonstrated through excellent quality control, matrix spike and internal standard recoveries for an analysis of 120 samples of 2.5% w/w brine solution.

This application note discusses a total workflow for the analysis of water and wastewater samples using the latest innovations in ICP-MS instrumentation which offers a comprehensive solution for effective and trouble-free analysis of samples containing high dissolved solids. The complete method quality control protocol was included in this study to ensure accuracy, precision, and reproducibility of an extended analysis consisting of 600 samples.

Watch this 20-minute educational video by Andreas Kerstan, Agilent Product Specialist in molecular spectroscopy, to gain a comprehensive update on the microplastics landscape and the environmental concerns related to them. Discover the current challenges in microplastics characterization and how Agilent innovative solutions and techniques, including FTIR, LDIR, GC/MS, and ICP-MS, are addressing these issues head-on.

Single Reaction Chamber (SRC) technology is used to process challenging pharmaceutical samples quickly and simultaneously in accordance with USP <232>/<233>.