Liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The technique of coupling liquid chromatography to inductively coupled plas ma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is reviewed. A brief introduction to the ICP- MS instrument is given as well as methods to couple the two analytical inst ruments together. The various types of LC that have been used with ICP-MS d etection are discussed and advantages over traditional methods of detection are highlighted, such as the improvements in sensitivity and selectivity. Several applications that have been described in the literature are reviewe d. An outlook for the future of LC-ICP-MS, particularly with regard to elem ental speciation is given. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserv ed.