Rare-earth elements correlation between soil and vegetable samples, using a fast multielement inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method

摘要: Complete text of publication follows. Soil and vegetable samples (onions and potatoes) from a highly industrialized North-Western Romania region were analyzed using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Microwave acid digestion was performed on the samples and a fast, semi quantitative, multielement ICP-QMS method was used for rare-earth elements measurements. The quadrupole-based ICP-MS instrument was optimized before each batch run, using routine procedures for ensuring best signal properties while maintaining a good signal/noise ratio. Dual detector calibration was carefully optimized, as it poses an important role during semi-quantitative determinations. Pearson correlations of the results show good agreement between rare-earth elements concentration in soil and respectively vegetables, with the exception of the documented Europium anomaly.