Elemental Scientific seaFAST-pico: Trace Metals in Seawater

Offline Application
Accurate and precise quantification of transition row metals in seawater remains a difficult task. This is due to
low dissolved analyte concentration (10s of ng L-1) and a complex matrix (3.5% TDS). The seaFAST-pico™
is an ultra-clean, automated, low-pressure ion chromatography system capable of single digit picogram
L-1 detection limits. In the offline configuration, an automated method buffers 5.4 mLs of acidified seawater
before loading it onto a column, where matrix is removed and the concentrated sample eluted in 270 µL to a
microtiter plate. Rapid sample loading rates combined with low elution volumes provides high concentration
factors (~20 fold) and unprecedented detection limits (pg L-1). The seaFAST-picoTM can be operated inline for
method development or fully-automated, independent of an ICP-MS.

Features:
NASS-6
• Inline or offline operation 1000

• Configured offline: 15 minutes per sample

• All-fluoropolymer flow paths
Concentration (ngL-1)

100
• Compact footprint
• High capacity (up to 120 samples)
• S400V syringe unit handles all solutions 10

• Load column rapidly (up to 4 mL min )-1

• Elute column in small volumes (~270 μL)

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• Triple 6-port valves Co Pb Mn Fe Cu

• ULPA enclosure Element

Certified Run 1 Run 2

Figure 1. Determined (two separate dates) and certified values for seawater reference material (CRM)
NASS-6 are plotted (on a log scale). Excellent agreement beteween determined and certified values for both
low (Pb, 6 ng L-1) and high (Fe and Mn ~500 ng L-1) concentration elements illustrate the accuracy of the
method. No internal standard was used.

M. P. Field
field@icpms.com
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 Plug
4
V1 3
5 Air
DI 2 Filter
Water 6
1

Waste 4
V2 3
5
2
6
1

4
V3 3
5
2
Vacuum
6
1
SC-DX FAST
Waste Autosampler

1 2
IS
3

V2
2
C

D
1

Carrier
2
3
Elute
Acid

S400V
Buffer Syringe
Pump

Carrier Buffer Elute

Figure 2. System schematic Acid

2
 X-Piercing Cover

Figure 3. A comparison of a seaFAST-pico

inline elution profile with a seaFAST-pico
offline injection is shown above. Offline
fraction collection of programmable elution
volume is injected to the ICP-MS with a
microFAST system. A profile collected from a
200 µL injection at 100 µL min-1 illustrates two
minutes of steady state signal.

Figure 4. Elution volumes of 270 ± 1.7 µL are

very reproducible (Time 0), ensuring accurate
and precise preconcentration factors. Post
processing evaporation in UPLA enclosure can
alter the preconcentration factor and data quality
(15 mL vials). A 96-well microtiter plate and
X-piercing cover minimizes sample surface area
and exposure to flowing air. This combination
greatly reduces evaporation (< 10 µL over a 12
hr period) relative to conventional 15 mL vials.

Mn Washout with seaFAST pico

600
Indium Recovery
150 500
Concentration (ng L-1)

97.5 + 5%  400
125

300
100
Recovery %

200
75

100
d

ld
d
ld

ld
l

l
l
fo

fo

fo
fo

50
fo

fo
00

00

0
00
00

00

0
13

14

24
15
18

15

0
25 1 2 3

Elute 1
NASS-6 Elute12
Elute Elute23
Elute
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Sample number Figure 6. Three replicates of a three step elution
are plotted. The first step, after loading
Figure 5. Indium is reproducibly and quantitatively NASS-6, recovers trace metals from the column.
recovered from seawater samples making it an Two subsequent elution steps illustrate greater than
excellent Internal Standard (IS) candidate. a 1000-fold washout indicating minimal sample to
sample carryover. Such low carryover is more than
sufficient to measure trace metals in a wide variety
of oceanic environments.
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 Limits of Detection Limits of Detection
600 20
Concentration (ngL-1)

15

Concentration (ngL-1)
400

10

200

5
60
pg L-1
0
0
Mn Fe Cu
Co Pb
NASS-6 seaFAST pico DLs Certified seaFAST pico DLs

Figure 7. Limits of detection are compared to NASS-6 certified values. Matrix removal combined with a
20-fold preconcentration factor is appropriate for many seawater applications. If lower detection limits are
required, the system could easily be programed for larger preconcentration factors.

SAMPLE DESTINATION
Figure 8. Top view of auto-
sampler deck illustrating one
of many configurations for
sample and destination vials
and locations.
SAMPLE DESTINATION

Benefits:
• Inline or offline operation
• Fluoropolymer flow paths ensure low blanks
• Efficient and reproducible software automation
• Sample processing independent of ICP-MS
• Replaces dedicated HEPA hood procedures
• Steady-state signal
• Fully utilize ICP-MS time
• Determination of multiple elements with flexible
standardization techniques
• Accurate and precise in the 10s of ng L-1 range
• Syringe control volume and flow rates ensure
very reproducible column loading and elution
• Small elution volumes provides ~ 20x
preconcentration factors
• High throughput (15 mins/sample)
seaFAST offline System
• Portable Note: ULPA enclosure not shown

Elemental Scientific Phone: 1.402.991.7800 Email: esi@icpms.com

1500 North 24th Street Fax: 1.402.991.7799 Web: www.icpms.com
Omaha, NE 68110 USA
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