Detection of iron species using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry under cold plasma temperature conditions

Under the conditions of low radio frequency (rf) power of 600 W and aerosol gas flow rate of 1.25–1.35 l/min, 56Fe (or 54Fe) ions can be detected from the isobaric interference of the ArO+ (or ArN+) matrix. Using this method, the detection limit of 56Fe can reach 16 ng/l (ppt), 60 times smaller than by normal plasma conditions at 1200 W rf power. The linear dynamic range of the analyte measurement extends to 1000 ng/ml (ppb).