Simultaneous correction for drift and non-spectroscopic matrix effect in the measurement of geological samples by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry using common analyte internal standardization chemometric technique

The common analyte internal standardization (CAIS) chemometric technique is extended to correct for drift in signal intensity in inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The CAIS technique is used because, unlike the conventional internal reference method, it allows for the analyte to behave differently from the internal reference under the influence of drift. Thus, only one internal reference element is sufficient to correct for drift effect for all the analytes irrespective of the difference of their mass and ionization potential from that of the internal reference element. Experimental test with 15 analytes, as a representative of the whole mass range, in different geological matrices, using only indium as internal reference element, demonstrates that the developed drift correction method is efficient in correcting up to 25% drift error and is easy to use. Further, a CAIS scheme was developed to correct for both drift and non-spectroscopic matrix effects simultaneously in a single run, using standard containing no matrix. This scheme is based on the use of two internal reference elements for simultaneous monitoring and correction of drift and matrix effects for all the analytes irrespective of their difference in mass and ionization potential from the two internal reference elements. The developed scheme was validated using river water samples containing appreciable matrix concentration and was measured under the influence of drift. The results of the experimental validation indicate that the proposed scheme is capable of removing error as large as 43% that arises from drift and non-spectroscopic matrix effects.