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2026 Vol.17, Issue 2

General Article

Evaluation of the traditional calibration methods in ICP-MS analysis of toxic elements in water
Trevor Chiweshe1*
,
Sumit Kumar2
1Research Fellow, Univeristy of the Free State, Centre for Mineral Biogeochemistry, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
2Senior Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, B.S. S. College, Supaul under B. N. Mandal, University, Madhepura, Bihar, PIN 852113, India
*Corresponding Author
30 June 2026. pp. 201-213
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Abstract

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.

Keywords
ICP-MS
environmental pollution
toxic elemental analysis
external calibration techniques
water analysis
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Information
  • Publisher :Sustainable Building Research Center (ERC) Innovative Durable Building and Infrastructure Research Center
  • Publisher(Ko) :건설구조물 내구성혁신 연구센터
  • Journal Title :International Journal of Sustainable Building Technology and Urban Development
  • Volume : 17
  • No :2
  • Pages :201-213
  • Received Date : 2025-11-12
  • Accepted Date : 2025-12-05
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.22712/susb.20260013
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