Analysis of arsenic and calcium in soil samples by laser ablation mass spectrometry

Abstract: We present an analytical procedure based on laser ablation mass spectrometry (LAMS) in order to detect and quantify arsenic and calcium in soil samples and we analyze the diverse factors that influence the precision of LAMS, such as laser fluence and matrix effect. The results indicate that a Zn matrix is a good choice for the analysis of those metals in soil samples. This work also provides a method for the direct determination of As in soil samples whose concentrations are lower than 100ppm with a 70ppm minimum detection limits (MDL). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]