Direct Analysis of Undiluted Soil Digests Using the Agilent High Matrix Introduction Accessory with the 7500cx ICP-MS

Agilent has developed the High Matrix Introduction (HMI) accessory for ICP-MS as an alternative to conventional dilution. The HMI modifies the sample introduction system of the Agilent 7500 Octopole Reaction System (ORS) ICP-MS, making it possible to directly measure sample solutions with total dissolved solids (TDS) exceeding 1%. In collaboration with the Eurofins Analytico laboratory in the Netherlands, a 7500cx/HMI was used to directly measure high TDS soil extracts in compliance with Dutch regulatory guidelines. The results show that the HMI is a suitable replacement for conventional autodilution, allowing Analytico to use a single 7500cx/HMI ICP-MS in place of several instruments, including conventional ICP-MS, ICP-OES and a dedicated mercury analyzer.