Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a highly sensitive analytical technique used to detect and quantify metals and some non-metals in various samples, like water, soil, and biological materials. It works by first turning the sample into a plasma, a hot gas made of ions, which breaks it down into its elemental components. These ions are then directed into a mass spectrometer, which measures their mass and concentration. ICP-MS is valued for its ability to analyze trace elements at very low levels, making it essential in fields like environmental monitoring, food safety, and clinical diagnostics.