RIAL specializes in providing low level (ppt - ppb) accurate and precise determination of trace metals and isotopes.

The optical emission spectrometer offers high sample through put, ppb detection limits and simultaneous detection of elements. This technique is well suited to applications that require precise determination of elemental ratios and/or multi-element determination of metals at trace concentrations.

The mass spectrometers although simultaneous in detection, rapidly scan the full range of metals in the periodic table in less than 1 second. This technique is very well suited to ultra trace (ppt) detection of metals and precise isotopic ratio determination.

All of the ICP’s can be coupled with the laser ablation sample introduction system. Spot sizes of 4 to 600 um in diameter can sampled and determined by any of the ICPs. This provides in situ analysis of trace element composition of solids at high spatial resolution.

M. Paul Field

Facility Supervisor

Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences