Evaluating the Impact of ICP-MS and LIBS on Environmental Monitoring

There have been significant environmental analysis breakthroughs, and spectroscopy has played a critical role in realizing them. A recent review article published in the Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry by lead author Jeffrey R. Bacon, along with a team of researchers from the United Kingdom, Italy, and Germany, highlights several advancements in the field of environmental and geological analysis (1).

An environmental engineer in protective gear meticulously collects a water sample from a sewage treatment plant for quality testing and analysis. Generated with AI. | Image Credit: © TensorSpark - stock.adobe.com

One of the key areas currently under study revolves around tire particles (1,2). This is a topic discussed often in chromatographic, as well as spectroscopic, circles because tire particles are now being recognized as a major source of environmental pollution (1,2). The review article highlighted how unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have aided this research because of their ability to sample airborne particles (1). UAVs offer the advantage of remote and versatile sampling, which is particularly beneficial for studying air quality in hard-to-reach or hazardous locations (1).

On the air analysis front, the researchers discussed the value that inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) offers them. Single-particle analysis through ICP-MS/MS can provide detailed information about the composition of individual airborne particles (1). This technique is expected to be instrumental in further refining understanding of air pollution sources and their environmental impacts (1).

Researchers are also showing a growing interest in green chemistry, particularly in the development of reagents that reduce environmental impact. Several reviews focusing on this trend were published, emphasizing the need for more sustainable practices in environmental chemistry (3,4). Moreover, the direct introduction of magnetic nanoparticles into flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS) for boosting sensitivity is another significant innovation mentioned in this article. This novel technique allows for the direct measurement of trace metals without complicated sample preparation (1).

In the field of soil, plant, and geological material analysis, there has been considerable interest in improving digestion, extraction, and preconcentration methods. A notable trend is the development of methods that enable direct analysis of solid samples using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), and atomic fluorescence spectroscopy (AFS) (1). These methods allow for more efficient and sensitive detection of trace elements in complex matrices (1).

Environmental monitoring has also benefitted from advancements in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). For example, single-chamber laser-ablation LIBS can analyze plant leaves without grinding or pelleting (1). However, the review notes that many studies utilizing LIBS have neglected to validate their results using certified reference materials (CRMs) or by comparing their findings with alternative techniques (1). This lack of validation is seen as a significant shortcoming, and researchers are urged to adopt more rigorous quality control measures.

The characterization of natural and synthetic materials for use as Reference Materials (RMs) in geological studies has also progressed significantly, which the researchers highlighted in their review. The use of microanalytical techniques, such as laser ablation ICP-MS (LA-ICP-MS) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), has led to the availability of new RMs for in situ isotope ratio determinations (1). These RMs are essential for improving the accuracy of geochemical analyses, particularly in mineral exploration and ore processing (1).

The enormous amount of data generated by modern analytical instruments, particularly in isotopic analysis, has prompted the development of specialized software tools. Most of these tools are freely available and are designed to streamline the processing and reduction of isotopic data (1). These advancements in software development are expected to significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of data analysis in environmental and geological research (1).

References

1. Bacon, J. R.; Butler, O. T.; Cairns, W. R. L.; et al. Atomic Spectrometry Update – A Review of Advances in Environmental Analysis. J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 2024, 39, 11–65. DOI: 10.1039/D3JA90044D
2. Botcherby, L. Analyzing Road-Associated Microplastics Using Py-GC–MS. The Column 2022, 18 (5), 11.
3. Arunagiri, T.; Ganesan, A.; Kumaran, V. R.; et al. Green Analytical Chemistry-based Spectrophotometric Techniques for Ternary Component Analysis of Pain Relievers. Fut. J. Pharm. Sci. 2024, 10, 75. DOI: 10.1186/s43094-024-00648-8
4. Semysim, F. A.; Hussain, B. K.; Hussien, M. A.; et al. Assessing the Greenness and Environmental Friendliness of Analytical Methods: Modern Approaches and Recent Computational Programs. Crit. Rev. Anal. Chem. 2024 ,1–14. DOI: 10.1080/10408347.2024.2304552