Gas chromatography inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry for the speciation analysis of organolead compounds in environmental water samples

The application of inductively coupled plasma - time-of-flight mass spectro metry for the speciation analysis of organolead compounds in environmental waters is described. Construction of the transfer line was achieved by mean s of a relatively simple and rapid coupling procedure. Derivatization of th e ionic lead species was achieved by in-situ propylation with sodium tetrap ropylborate; simultaneous extraction of the derivatized compounds in hexane was followed by separation and detection by capillary gas chromatography h yphenated to inductively coupled plasma-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. D etection limits for the different organolead species ranged from 10 to 15 f g (as Pb), corresponding to procedural detection limits between 50 and 75 n g L-1, on the basis of a 50 mL snow sample, extraction with 200 muL hexane, and subsequent injection of 1 muL of the organic extract on to the column. The accuracy of the system was confirmed by additional analysis of the wat er samples by capillary gas chromatography coupled with microwave-induced p lasma-atomic-emission spectrometry and the analysis of a standard reference material CRM 605 (road dust) with a certified content of trimethyllead.