Strategy for water analysis using ICP-MS

The developed strategy permits determination in three steps of sixty-seven elements using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Sodiu m, Mg, Si, S, Cl, K, and Ca are determined in a first step; B, Al, P, Cr, F e, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Ag, Cd, Sb, Ba, Hg, and Ph are determined in a s econd step; and Li, Be, Ti, V, Co, Ga, Ge, Br, Ph, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Sn, T e, I, Cs, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Hf, Ta, W , Pt, Au, Tl, Bi, Th, and U are analyzed in a third step. The figures of me rit obtained are adequate to carry out water quality monitoring and other h ydrochemical studies, such those based in the application of hydrochemical fingerprinting to water management.