This methods paper used a microwave plasma torch ion source with an ion trap mass spectrometer to detect titanium and zirconium complex anions in water without sample preparation. The zirconium detection limit was 20 µg/L. No zirconium concentrations in real drinking water or environmental water are reported.
Key numbers
- Zirconium: linear range 20 to 100 µg/L (R2 0.996), limit of detection 20 µg/L (Table 1, p. 7).
- The paper’s comparison table lists zirconium detection limits of 0.04 µg/L for ICP-MS, 10 µg/L for ICP-AES, below 10 µg/L for polarographic catalytic wave and 18 µg/L for spectrophotometry, against 20 µg/L for this method (Table 2, p. 7).
- Analysis time about 5 to 6 minutes per water sample (Results, p. 6).
- This paper reports no numerical findings relevant to zirconium exposure.
Methods (brief)
Standard solutions of titanium and zirconium were nebulized into a microwave plasma torch and the resulting complex anions (including zirconium oxide nitrate species) were identified by a linear ion trap mass spectrometer in negative mode, with collision-induced dissociation used to confirm fragments.
Evidence fitness
Supports context on analytical approaches and detection limits for zirconium in water. Does not support any statement about zirconium concentrations in water or exposure, because only standard solutions were analyzed.
Limitations
Standard solutions only; the method’s 20 µg/L detection limit is far higher than the ICP-MS limit the authors list. Comparison values for other methods are taken from earlier literature.
Related evidence
Update history
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