Analytical methodology for the validation of multielemental detection of Al, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Th, Ti, U and Zn in water

ABSTRACTAn analytical procedure for the determination of 13 elements in the water samples has been developed and validated. The elements (Al, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Th, Ti, U and Zn), in their dissolved form in water, were measured by high resolution sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. A validation approach was used in accordance with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 and following the Eurachem guideline. Taking this into account, the parameters selectivity, detection limit, quantification limit, linear interval, sensitivity, bias, recovery percentage, repeatability, reproducibility, and uncertainty were systematically assessed. Detection limits from 0.0014 to 0.2363 ng mL−1 were obtained. Recovery values from 82.3 to 100.6% for the water certified reference material (CRM) were achieved. Repeatability from 1 to 3% and reproducibility from 1 to 4.1% were hit. The expanded uncertainty associated with each result was estimated by identifying the main uncertainty sources. The potential of the proposed analytical procedure for water, based on the low detection limits obtained, allows the method to determine very low concentration levels in water, such as small variations in its concentration. This methodology can potentially be applied to all types of water, because most of the elements analysed are listed in the official regulations for water.KEYWORDS: WaterICP-SFMSmethod validationISO-17025uncertaintytrace elements AcknowledgementsTo Eng. Fortunato Aguilar Hernández, Eng. Israel Bolaños Gutiérrez, Eng. Adrián Reyes del Valle and element users for their invaluable help. Thanks for LANAFONU to provide facilities and equipment to carry out the project.Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationFundingThe authors acknowledge the infrastructure and support of the National Nuclear Forensic Research Laboratory (Project No. 232762 CONACYT-2014, Modalidad A. Establecimiento de Laboratorio Nacional de Investigaciones en Forense Nuclear, LANAFONU.Notes on contributorsElizabeth Teresita Romero GuzmánElizabeth Teresita Romero-Guzmán is a Chemist, Master Degree in Ecology and Ph.D. in Engineering with an emphasis in water science at the Autonomous University of Mexico State. She has experience in analytical chemistry using conventional and radiochemical techniques, currently in high-resolution mass spectrometry to develop and optimise methods to measure heavy metals and radionuclides in environmental and different materials.Manuel Alejandro Pérez BritoManuel Alejandro Pérez Brito received his undergraduate education at the Technological Institute of Toluca and studied a Master's and PhD in Water Sciences at the Autonomous University of Mexico State. He is working in the area of mass spectrometry, with a focus on developing and optimising methods for determination of heavy metal and radionuclides in the environmental.