What is/are the differences between AAS, FAAS, GC-MS, ICP-MS and HR-ICP-MS for heavy metals detection in water samples? Which one is the most appropriate or gives best accuracy? If the water samples are collected from a lake/reservoir that some areas in its vicinity having undergoing constructions of new resorts/jetties, aquaculture and agricultural activities, do this factors must be put into consideration in choosing the method for heavy metal analysis? Please advise. Thanks.
Hello, you can exclude AAS, FAAS due to low sensitivity, you can't detect metals by GC-MS it not suitable at all. You can use ICP-MS which will cover all requirements of legislation regarding safety and allow you detect metals at ppt levels. No need HR-ICP-MS you not need that much sensitivity for drinking water.
Good luck
Hi,
As Dr. Darbinyan has mentioned, ICP-MS is one of the best ways for determining heavy metal metal concentration in the liquid samples with greater accuracy and high sensitivity. It will give you concentration of different elements present in the water sample/solution irrespective of what or where have you collected sample (lake, agricultural runoff, construction waste etc.). So, if you are just looking for heavy metals (or just elements), ICP-MS is good choice as per your case.
However if availability of ICP-MS is an issue, than AAS can also work fine, only you have to do more work (of course version of instrument also matters). You have to find each element individually while in ICP-MS you will found desired elements in a single or two analysis.
Also, In-case, if you want to look at the chemical type/composition/mineralogy of the contaminants (especially for runoff from agricultural and construction areas), you have to look some other analysis/instrument as well.
Good luck
I agree with Karen A. Darbinyan
Best Wishes Engku Muhamad Faris
I support the submissions of the duo of Dr Karen A. Darbiyan and Abhishek Singhai. Most suitable is ICP-MS. But where it is not available, AAS of high resolution will separately determine heavy metals concentration in natural water.
Thank you all, I really appreciate your answers and suggestions that very much helps my research to move forward.
ICP-MS is your best option but try and remove the interferences of agricultural wastes by destroying it in strong acid or coagulating it with some cheating agents b4 the analysis.
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