I am using an ICPMS for my thesis research to study the mineral composition of lemur diets. I am testing different dilutions now (100, 1000, 5000, 10,000 and 20,000-fold) and there are always negative values in my results regardless of the dilution. Do the negative values mean the mineral is not present in the sample, the concentration of the sample is too small to detect? I have a 5 point calibration curve (1 - 0.0001).
Thanks in advance
Negative values in ICPMS results are usually indicative of a problem with the measurement process or with the sample itself. It is possible that the concentration of the sample is too low to detect, but there may also be other factors at play, such as interference from other elements in the sample or instrument drift. It is recommended to carefully review the experimental conditions and the quality control measures to identify potential sources of error. Additionally, it may be valuable to consult with experts in the field to better understand how to interpret the results and resolve any issues that may be affecting the accuracy of the measurements.
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