International Journal of Sustainable Building Technology and Urban Development ISSN:2093-761X(Print) 2093-7628(Online)

The current study evaluates the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) external calibration method for trace elemental analysis of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury and lead in polluted water samples. The method was first assessed in standard and collision modes using the South African Bureau of Standards reference solutions (SABS), ground water, surface water, treated water and wastewater. Analysis in the standard mode was at least twice affected by the changes in the sample matrix than in the collision mode. Data analysis revealed the effects of sample matrix (alkalinity, pH, turbidity and total dissolved solids TDS) to the signal response in both modes. The standard mode recorded false-low recoveries of chromium, and lead and false-high recoveries of mercury, cadmium and arsenic from the SABS. Error margins in both standard and collision mode were beyond ±15 and ±5% respectively. The error margin varied depending on the type of water, interfering polyatomic species and the sample matrix. Mercury analysis was influenced by memory effects, which was circumvented by using a gold standard to amalgamate with mercury.