Inside this Issue

February 2007 – Issue 30

Agilent ICP-MS Journal

2-3 User Article: ICP-MS Analysis of Trace Selenium in the Great Salt Lake

4-5 User Profile – ORS Upgrade of an Agilent 7500i

6 User Article: 7500ce ICP-MS - Isotope Dilution Applications using Custom Databases

7 Tips and Tricks: Benefits of New Fileview Plus

8 Metallomics Center Opening, Count-down to 4500 End Of Support, Upcoming Events

ICP-MS Analysis ofTrace Selenium in theGreat Salt Lake William O. Moellmer and Theron G. Miller, Utah Division ofWater Quality, Salt Lake City, USASteve Wilbur and Emmett Soffey,Agilent Technologies, Inc, USA

Introduction As part of the effort to preserve thewater quality of one of the WesternHemisphere's most importantmigratory bird habitats – the GreatSalt Lake (GSL) in Utah – the GSLWater Quality Steering Committee[1] was established to recommendnumeric water quality standardsfor some metals in the open watersof the lake [2]. The initial plan callsfor recommendation of numeric waterquality standards for selenium inthe Great Salt Lake by the UtahDepartment of Environmental Quality(DEQ) to the USEPA by the end of2007. Critical to determining baselinedata for Se in the lake is the validationof a reliable analytical method.

Method CriteriaTo meet the needs of the study, thesuccessful analytical method mustmeet several requirements: • High sensitivity must be achieved

(due to required minimum detectable limit (MDL) of <0.5 ppb in the undiluted sample).

• Analysis must be performed withminimum sample dilution in order to retain sensitivity.

• The method must tolerate high total dissolved salt concentrationswith minimum signal suppressionand minimum signal drift.

• Method must avoid significant spectral interferences on at leastone Se isotope.

• Method must be simple and reliable.

Because of the requirement for thelowest possible detection limit (<0.5ppb), only sensitive techniquessuch as hydride generation atomicabsorption (HGAA), graphite furnaceatomic absorption (GFAA) or ICP-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) wereconsidered.

2 www.agilent.com/chem/icpms

Round-Robin Study As part of the method selection process, a recent round-robin studyamong seven laboratories was conducted by the Utah Division ofWater Quality to compare ambientlevel Se measurements and low-level spike recoveries of Se in GSLwaters using multiple techniques.

In addition to traditional GFAA andHGAA techniques, both conventional(non-cell) and passive and dynamiccollision/reaction cell ICP-MSinstruments were evaluated.Collision/reaction cell ICP-MS wasconsidered due to its ability toremove polyatomic interferences incomplex matrices such as GSLwaters.

Sample Collection andPreservation Two samples (1-m and 7-m deep)were collected from a single locationnear the middle of the south arm ofthe lake. In addition to native GreatSalt Lake water, triplicate spikeswere prepared. Sample identificationnumbers were applied randomly toall sample replicates and distributed"blind" to participating laboratories.A total of 36 samples were submittedto each participating laboratory foranalysis. Each laboratory was freeto choose the analytical technique,depending upon their proficiencyand available instrumentation.

Table 1. Summary of ICP-MS results from round-robin study

Technique % Recovery [Accuracy] Std Dev / Mean [CV]

Accuracy Precision

ORS-ICP-MS Average 94.9% 19.4%

1 meter 95% 18.6%

7 meter 95% 20.1%

Non-cell ICP-MS Average 2950% 29.4%

1 meter 481% 24.2%

7 meter 5420% 33.8%

DRC-ICP-MS measuring m/z 94 Average 558% 26.3%

1 meter 478% 26.8%7 meter 637% 25.9%

DRC-ICP-MS

measuring m/z 96 Average 781% 32%

1 meter 631% 43.8%

7 meter 931% 18.3%

DRC-ICP-MS Average 250% 330%

1 meter 191% 281%

7 meter 320% 388%

Hydride AA(reference method) Average 91% 7.9%

1 meter 105% 1.5%

7 meter 77% 12.7%

In all cases, standard analyticalmethods were employed. Analyticaltechniques included HGAA (EPA270.3) GFAA (EPA 200.12), conventional (non-cell) ICP-MS (EPA200.8 – Agilent 7500a) dynamicreaction cell (DRC) ICP-MS (EPA-200.8 modified – PerkinElmer ElanDRC II), and octopole reaction cellICP-MS (EPA 200.8 modified –Agilent 7500ce).

Although all the techniques employedare commonly used for analysis ofselenium in various environmentalsamples, Great Salt Lake water presented a significant challenge tomost. Because of the very high levelof dissolved solids, both spectraland nonspectral interferences wereevident for all techniques evaluated.The levels of interferences rangedfrom slight to severe.

The final round-robin results for allparticipating laboratories usingICP-MS are presented in Table 1. Twotechniques, hydride AA and octopolereaction cell ICP-MS provided sufficiently accurate and preciseresults. The remaining techniques,GFAA, DRC ICP-MS. and conventional(noncell) ICP-MS, showed significantpositive bias and yielded unusableresults. GFAA is known to sufferfrom interferences from chloridesand sulfates, which can be mitigatedby the addition of nickel nitrate, butnot eliminated. In the case of Great

Agilent ICP-MS Journal February 2007 - Issue 30

3www.agilent.com/chem/icpms Agilent ICP-MS Journal February 2007 - Issue 30

Salt Lake waters, the Cl and SO4concentrations are too high. Similarly,conventional ICP-MS suffers fromtoo many polyatomic interferencesto measure selenium in high Cl,high Br matrices. The DRC ICP-MSsituation is a bit different. Like theoctopole reaction cell instrument,the DRC ICP-MS system uses a collision/reaction cell to removepolyatomic interferences beforethey enter the mass spectrometerand are measured. Typically, reactivegases are used with the goal ofseparating the analyte from theinterferant by shifting either themass of the polyatomic interferenceor the analyte to a new mass viaion–molecule reaction. In this case,oxygen was used as the reactiongas. Oxygen readily combines withSe+ to form SeO+, effectively shiftingthe Se signal away from the Ar2+

interferences at m/z 78 and 80. Theresulting analyte signal is measuredat m/z 94 (78Se16O+), and m/z 96(80Se16O+). However, the very largepositive bias in the results, approximately 500–800%, suggeststhe presence of large, unknowninterferences at the new masses.Furthermore, very specific reactionchemistry, such as that used in bothDRC ICP-MS and hydride AA, limitsthe scope of the analysis to only afew related analytes.

Conversely, octopole reaction cellICP-MS uses simple, universal conditions to remove polyatomicinterferences generically whilemaintaining the analyte (in thiscase, selenium) at its actual mass.Therefore, the use of octopole reactioncell ICP-MS presents the advantageover hydride AA of being able tosimultaneously measure other traceelements in addition to selenium insaline samples. This will prove usefulas the characterization of the GreatSalt Lake progresses to other analytes.

Overall, octopole reaction cell ICP-MSwas chosen for continued workbecause of its sensitivity, lack ofbias, multielement capability, andease of use.

Determining Sensitivity The 7500ce ICP-MS system was operated in hydrogen mode in orderto effectively remove argon-basedpolyatomic interferences on 78Se.The typical response for 78Se on theORS ICP-MS system in H2 reaction

References 1. http://www.deq.utah.gov/issues/GSL_WQSC/

2. http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/utah/science/art14352.html

mode is ~ 1500 cps/µg/L . This allowslinear calibrations from 0.1 to 1 ppband a calculated detection limit ofless than 10 ppt with a backgroundequivalent concentration (BEC) of6.45 ppt (Figure 1).

ConclusionsBecause of the high levels of dissolvedsalts in Great Salt Lake water, mostconventional techniques for theanalysis of selenium in waters areinappropriate, resulting in significantpositive bias. Of the techniques evaluated, including GFAA, conventional ICP-MS (no collision/reaction cell), DRC ICP-MS, hydrideAA, and ORS-ICP-MS, only hydrideAA and ORS-ICP-MS were able toprovide consistent and presumablyaccurate measurement of seleniumfrom ambient levels to samples spikedas high as 85 ppb.

ORS-ICP-MS provides the addedbenefits of simple sample preparation,high sample throughput, and capability for simultaneous multi-element analysis. As such, the UtahDivision of Water Quality haverecommended that USEPA begin theprocess of certifying ORS-ICP-MS asan available method for seleniumanalysis in hypersaline samplessuch as the Great Salt Lake.

Figure 1. Se calibration at 0.1, 0.5, and 1 ug/L using mass 78. BEC= 0.0065 ppb, DL= 0.0085 ppb.

4 Agilent ICP-MS Journal February 2007 - Issue 30 www.agilent.com/chem/icpms

User Profile –Upgrading an Agilent7500i to a 7500ce Roger Hopper Wyoming Dept.of Agriculture –Analytical Services Laboratory, USArhopper@wyaslab.net

The Analytical Services Laboratoryof the Wyoming Department ofAgriculture is located in Laramie,Wyoming. The laboratory is composedof chemical and bacteriological sections and handles a broad rangeof sample types including water,dairy products, animal feeds andforage, fertilizers, petroleum productsand natural gas, anti-freeze, pesticideand herbicide formulations andresidues in water, plants and soils.Water samples alone cover a broadrange of composition and includelaboratory deionized, reverse osmosisand distilled water, bottled and drinking water, surface and groundwaters, irrigation and stock waters,and wastewaters.

The basic cations and metals analyseswere performed using a combinationof sequential ICP-OES and atomicabsorption techniques includingflame, graphite furnace, cold vaporand hydride generation. Thesemethods provide the flexibility tomeet many of our clients needs, butthey tend to be labor intensive andcostly both in terms of time andresources because only one analytemay be run at a time. We lacked theability to simultaneously scan a broadrange of potential constituents. Thislimited our ability to meet part of thestated mission of the laboratory, topromote the health and economicwell-being of the citizens ofWyoming.

The Decision for ICP-MSBy 2000 – 2001 the laboratory wasfacing an increasing need to moreefficiently analyze samples. For ourmetals work we had long consideredsimultaneous ICP-OES, but ICP-MSwas also an intriguing possibility.Our choice of technique and instrumentation rested on severalconsiderations:

• Ability to meet current and future analytical needs and workloads

• Animal and plant tissues• Animal feed supplements• Paint chips, milk and dry milk• Soils, stream and lake sediments• A variety of suspect foodstuffs

Surface and ground waters continueto compose the major portion of ourroutine sample load. Some of thesewaters can have very high concentrations of carbonates, bicarbonates, chlorides and sulfatesall of which can create significantpolyatomic interferences at massesof interest. Taken in combinationwith the variety of sample types, wesaw a need to better deal withpotential interferences and reducethe dependence on interferenceequations. Upgrading our 7500i toan ORS equipped instrument –making it the equivalent of a newer7500ce – seemed a practical nextstep to meet our evolving needs.

Upgrading to the ORSThe upgrade was installed inJanuary, 2006 and involved a majorrenovation of the instrument includinghardware and software upgrades.The precision of the workmanshipof the new and replacement partswas remarkable. Everything seemedto fit perfectly. The ISIS auto-dilutionsystem was retained as a componentof the system. Following two days ofonsite training we were back inbusiness running samples. Twoweeks later we successfully ran anUSEPA proficiency testing samplein both ORS and non-ORS modeswith no need for reruns.

Final ChangesA drawback of this configuration

• Method requirements of USEPA, USFDA and other regulators

• Reliability• Price• Ease of regular maintenance• Proximity of technical support

and the cost of maintenance agreements

• Cost of expendable items (e.g. gasconsumption, torches, spray chambers, nebulizers, cones, etc.)

• Length and steepness of the learning curve for both the hardware and software

• Ability to upgrade the existing instrument to new technology

It seemed that ICP-MS in generaland the Agilent 7500i in particularmet all these criteria. The 7500i wasa non-octopole reaction system(ORS) instrument designed primarilyfor environmental work and includedan ISIS auto-dilution system. Theinitial installation of our 7500ioccurred in January, 2002. It wasbrought into full operation followingonsite training in February, 2002.During the next couple of months wecontinued to analyze water samplesby the older methods as well as byICP-MS until we were confident ofboth the instrument and our abilityto reliably handle the isobaric andpolyatomic interferences that canlimit the application of the method.For the next four years we used theinstrument in this configuration.The reliability of the instrumentand the productivity increases,while expected, still amazed.

Used in combination with closed-vessel microwave digestion we wereable to apply the method to anincreasing list of sample typesincluding:

Agilent 7500 with ORS upgrade in labs at Wyoming Dept. of Agriculture

5www.agilent.com/chem/icpms Agilent ICP-MS Journal February 2007 - Issue 30

was that the ISIS used a lot of sample,diluent and rinsing solution. Wewanted to be able to analyze limitedvolume samples without dilutionwhile retaining the flexibility thatwe had with the original and upgradedconfigurations. These aims were metand our instrument reached its currentconfiguration by disconnecting theISIS, upgrading the software andextending the calibration range ofcalcium, sodium, magnesium, silicon,strontium and barium using the He(collision) mode of the ORS. We currently cannot use this approachwith USEPA regulated drinkingwaters, but this is seldom a problemwith this type of sample.

These changes had some unexpectedconsequences. The sample consumptionwas reduced from approximately 7mL with the ISIS to less than 1 mLwithout the ISIS. Not only did thishelp with running limited volumesamples, but it also helped us significantly reduce our waste stream,consequently reducing the cost ofwaste disposal and making our operation safer. Because of thereduced rinsing times, the time torun a sample has been significantlyreduced.

Daily OperationThe ORS instrument is tuned (orthe tune is checked) each day of usewith an aqueous solution of 7Li,59Co, 89Y, 140Ce and 205Tl all at 10ug/L concentration. The matrix ofthis tuning solution is typically 1%HNO3 and 1% HCl. In non-gas mode,sensitivity for 7Li, 89Y, and 205Tl istypically 20,000, 70,000 and 60,000counts per second (cps) respectively.The ratio 156/140 representingCeO/Ce is tuned to approximately1% or less. The ratio 70/140 representing Ce2+/Ce is maintainedbelow 3%.

In Helium collision mode, masses51, 52, 59 and 75 are monitored. Heflow to the cell is set at 4.5 mL/minduring tuning and analysis. Mass 75(75As, 40Ar35Cl, 40Ca35Cl, 38Ar37Cl,59Co16O, 36Ar38Ar1H, 39K36Ar, 23Na12C40Ar)is the main focus of attention and istuned to obtain <10cps (usually 5-7cps). Mass 51 (51V, 35Cl16O) andmass 52 (52Cr, 36Ar16O, 35Cl17O,15N37Cl, 35Cl16O1H, 38Ar14N, 36Ar15N1H,34S18O, 36S16O) are tuned to obtain<20 cps (usually ~15cps). Mass 59(59Co) is maximized at >5000 cps (typically ~6000 cps). This tuning

corrections at masses where isobaricoverlap can occur (e.g. 115Sn on 115In),interference from doubly chargedions (e.g. 43Ca and 44Ca from 86Sr and88Sr respectively) and when isotopeshave nearly equal abundance (e.g.summation of 206Pb, 207Pb, and208Pb). With these considerations wehave reduced our use of interferenceequations from 13 in our basic non-ORS method currently used forUSEPA regulated drinking wateranalyses to 5 in the equivalent ORSmethod.

The Bottom LineOur aim continues to be achievinglower method detection limits(MDL) while applying a robustmethod that can handle the manytypes of samples we analyze. Table1 contains a list of analytes andMDLs obtained for acidified watermatrices with the ORS in the mostrecent configuration of our 7500(without the ISIS). The calibrationranges used for this method include:• Ca, Na - 0.1 to 200 mg/L• Mg - 0.1 to 50 mg/L• K - 0.1 to 20 mg/L• Si - 0.010 to 10 mg/L• Fe - 0.020 to 5 mg/L• Sr, Ba - 1 to 2000 ug/L• Trace metals - 1 to 200 ug/L• Hg - 0.050 to 1 ug/L

Table 1. ICP-MS (ORS) Method Detection Limits(MDL).

ConclusionsAdding ICP-MS to our analyticaltool box and upgrading to ORScapability has allowed us to make ourlaboratory operations more efficient,safer and more environmentallysound while improving the qualityof our data and speeding the time ofanalysis.

Element Conc Element Conc (ug/L) (ug/L)

Ca 4 Pb 0.03Mg 3 Li 0.09Na 3 Mn 0.05K 4 Hg 0.002Al 0.2 Mo 0.06Sb 0.05 Ni 0.03As 0.05 Se 0.03Ba 0.03 Si 0.7Be 0.03 Ag 0.03B 0.3 Sr 0.03Cd 0.04 Tl 0.05Cr 0.02 Th 0.04Co 0.02 U 0.03Cu 0.03 V 0.03Fe 0.6 Zn 0.06

yields 400-500 cps for a 1ug/L Asstandard (mass 75) and 3000-4000cps for 1 ug/L standards of both V andCr (masses 51 and 52 respectively)during calibration and analysis.Keeping in mind that the tuningsolution contains 1% HCl, achievingthese excellent sensitivities duringtuning indicates that the ORS in Hemode is practically eliminatingpotential Cl based interferenceswhile maintaining excellent responseduring calibration and analysis.

In Hydrogen reaction mode, masses56, 59, and 78 are monitored. H2flow to the cell is set at 4 mL/minduring tuning and analysis. Mass 78(78Se, 38Ar40Ar, 40Ca38Ar, 43Ca35Cl) isthe main focus of attention and istuned to less than 10 cps (usually~1cps). Mass 59 is again maximizedat a value >5000 cps (usually~10,000 cps). This tuning yields~1000 cps for a 1ug/L Se standard(mass 78) during calibration and analysis.

Once stabilized – about 15 minutesto get the spray chamber cooled to2°C – tuning in the non-gas modecan take less than 5 minutes. Addanother 5 minutes or less to do apulse/analog tune and we are readyto run samples. Time spent tuningusing the ORS in both He- and H2-modes was reduced from about 30minutes to less than 15 minutes.These time savings are primarilydue to changes in the tuning pagesof the newest version of the ICP-MSChemStation software (B.03.03)which allow the user to selecttuning parameters that are used inall three modes of operation.

Interference Correction EquationsThe ORS has not eliminated theneed for correction equations, butgreatly reduced their use. Collisionmode (He-mode) primarily removespolyatomic interferences by kineticenergy discrimination (KED) but notisobaric interferences or interferencesfrom doubly charged ions.

We have successfully used H2 reactionmode to eliminate the isobaricinterferences of Ar on Ca at mass40 and of the N dimer on Si at mass28. Polyatomic interferences at the56 mass (56Fe, 40Ar16O, 40Ca16O) andthe 78 mass are also eliminatedusing this mode.

There is still a need for interference

6 Agilent ICP-MS Journal February 2007 - Issue 30 www.agilent.com/chem/icpms

7500ce ICP-MS:Isotope DilutionApplications usingCustom DatabasesJustine TurnerLGC, Queens Road, Teddington, Middlesex.TW11 0LY, UK

The ChemStation software on theAgilent 7500 ICP-MS contains a veryuseful tool, the ‘custom database’,which we have utilized to help withsome complex isotope dilution massspectrometry (IDMS) uncertaintycalculations.

IDMS is used for high accuracyquantitative analysis in a variety ofmatrices, where an accurate uncertainty statement is required.This may be for a number of reasons,such as:• Reference material characterization1

• Participation in international inter-laboratory comparisons2

• Provision of reference values for Proficiency testing (PT) schemesmethodology

The approach frequently adopted atLGC is an exact matching doubleIDMS procedure.3 The mass fractionof the analyte is calculated accordingto the following equation;

Where,C’x = mass fraction of analyte in sampleXCZ = mass fraction of analyte in primary standard ZmY = mass of spike Y added to sampleX to prepare the sample blend B (B=X+Y)mX = mass of sample X added to thespike Y to prepare the blend BmZc = mass of primary standardsolution Z added to the spike Y to

saved as a file, but no summaryreport is available. When performingIDMS analysis, each sample blend isbracketed by a calibration blend andthere are often 40-50 solutions inone analytical run. Therefore the datafrom one run is spread over a largenumber of reports/files. In order toobtain all the necessary data in oneplace, the operator had to copy andpaste the required info from eachindividual file into one summaryfile – a time-consuming operation.

In an attempt to stream-line this, acustom database was set up. Thedatabase wizard prompts the userto choose which information toinclude in the database. By selectingthe required options, in this case‘Quant Element (Replicate Data)’,then ‘Raw Counts/CPS’ and placingthe links in the relevant cells of thedatabase, the raw data for eachreplicate of each isotope can be displayed. Once this information ispresent, additional columns can beadded to the database, and simpleformulae inserted to calculate therequired values, as you would withan excel spreadsheet. For example,replicate isotope ratios, the averageisotope ratio, SD and %RSD information can be displayed foreach sample processed. Once thedatabase has been set up, the usersimply updates the database withany new data that is created.

An example of the database whichwe have setup for our Se IDMS workis shown. The database takes sometime to set-up, but once establishedis a great time-saving tool.

References1. R. Santamaria-Fernandez, P. Evans, C. S. J. Wolff-Briche & R. Hearn, J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2006, 21, 413.2. C. S.J. Wolff-Briche, Metrologia, 2003, 40, 08010.3. T. Catterick, B. Fairman and C. F. Harrington, J.Anal. At. Spectrom., 1998, 13, 1009.4. Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty inMeasurement. ISO, Geneva, Switzerland (1993).(ISBN 92-67-10188-9).

make the calibration blend Bc (Bc=Y+Z)mYc = mass of spike Y added to theprimary standard solution Z tomake the calibration blend BcR'B = measured isotope ratio of thesample blend BR'Bc= measured isotope ratio of thecalibration blend BcRBc = gravimetric value of the isotoperatio of calibration blend BcRx = isotope amount ratio of primary standard Z (IUPAC value)Ry = isotope ratio of spike materialY (certificate value)∑RiX = sum of all isotope ratios inthe sample X∑RiZ = sum of all isotope ratios inthe primary standard Z.

Calculation of the uncertaintyinvolves combining the uncertaintyassociated with each component ofthe equation in accordance with Guideto the Expression of Uncertainty inMeasurement (GUM) guidelines.4 Manyof these uncertainty contributions canbe calculated from ‘non-measurement’(or Type B) data. For example,information detailed on the certificateof the isotopically enriched spike isused to derive the uncertainty associated with the isotope ratio ofthe spike solution.

An important and often major contributor to the standard uncertainty of a single measurementis the uncertainty of the measuredisotope ratio of the sample and calibration blends (R'B and R'Bc). Inorder to calculate these uncertaintycontributions it is necessary toobtain the %RSD of the measuredisotope ratio for each solution analyzed.

When an isotope ratio report isgenerated, the individual replicateisotope ratios, the average ratio, thestandard deviation and %RSD aregiven. A report is generated foreach solution analyzed, which canbe displayed on screen, printed or

7www.agilent.com/chem/icpms Agilent ICP-MS Journal February 2007 - Issue 30

New Fileview PlusData ExtractionSoftware for theAgilent 7500 SeriesCharles LingelInfoconix Inc., USA, charles@infoconix.com

IntroductionDeveloped from the widely popularFileview data extraction software,new Fileview Plus contains all thefeatures found in the original versionplus many new functions usershave requested. New features ofFileview Plus include:

• Customizable Grid ViewA great feature is the flexibility toselect from counts average, replicatecounts, concentration, RSD, units,detector mode, and internal standard reference – and to displaythese fields simultaneously on thesame grid. Up to four differentcolumn configurations can be storedand recalled with a mouse click.

• Auto View FunctionWith the Auto View function, allnew data can be automaticallyimported and displayed in the gridin real time as a sequence progresses.When the Fileview Plus grid isopen, new data columns appear aseach sample acquisition finishes.The user can review all data generated in a tabulated form, inreal time, in a single location.

• MDL, IDL and BEC CalculatorMethod detection limit (MDL),instrument detection limit (IDL), andbackground equivalent concentration(BEC) can now be automaticallycalculated, exported and saved forevery sample batch. This is a greattool that can be used to easily trackinstrument performance over time.

• CCV and CCB CalculatorContinuing calibration verification(CCV) and continuing calibrationblank (CCB) data can be exportedin a tabulated form. “Out of range”values can be displayed in a separatecolumn (ranges are user configurable).Data can also be exported to aspreadsheet application.

• IS Plot EngineThe Internal Standard (IS) plottingengine creates two output formatsto easily troubleshoot instrument

automatic formatting (vertically,horizontally, or both) in multiplepages. The element and headerinformation is printed on each page.

Other new features include semiquantdata extraction and data file searchcapabilities. Fileview Plus workswith all 7500 Series ChemStationon Windows 2000 or Windows XPrevisions and is distributed andsupported worldwide by FullQuantCorp. in the US.

Ordering InformationFor more information, to purchaseFileview Plus or for a 15 day freetrial, visit the Fileview Plus websiteat www.fileviewplus.com

performance: - A graphical plot showing

normalized data.- A grid showing all the tabulated

count information.This calculation requires a referencevalue (normally the calibration blank)against which all other samples areplotted.The graphical plot can be printeddirectly from Fileview Plus or copiedto the clipboard and pasted intoanother application.

•Print CapabilitiesThe Fileview Plus grids print datadirectly with options that include portrait and landscape orientation,margin adjustment, scaling, and

Fileview Plus grid can be viewed simultaneously with the ChemStation software while the sequenceprogresses.

Features like printing capabilities, automated grid update, replicate information, internal standardsplotting engine and IDL calculator are only a few of the great new tools Fileview Plus offers

This information is subject to change without notice

© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2007Printed in the U.S.A. February 16, 20075989-6273EN

Karen Morton for Agilent Technologiese-mail: editor@agilent.comAgilent ICP-MS Journal Editor

8 Months Until 4500 Series End of SupportA reminder that Agilent will continue to fully support all 4500 Seriesinstruments until their End of Support (EOS) date of October 31, 2007. Thisincludes the renewal of support contracts, which can be purchased pro rata– to run to EOS date. After EOS date, service parts will be available fromAgilent until supplies are exhausted, and labor-only contracts can bepurchased for a further 1 year after EOS date. These labor-only contractsare available under Agilent’s Asset Maximization program (Asset Max). Askyour Agilent support sales representative for details.

Labs that rely on their Agilent 4500 for all ICP-MS analysis, where the 4500is the only ICP-MS in the lab, are advised to plan now to replace theirinstrument. Contact your Agilent support sales representative for moreinformation.

New Agilent ICP-MS UsersA very warm welcome to all companies and institutions that have recentlyadded an Agilent ICP-MS to their analytical facilities. Remember to jointhe Agilent web-based ICP-MS User Forum – the place where you canexchange information relating to your 7500.

To access the Forum, you will simply need to log-in to the Agilent web site,or register if you haven't already, and enter your instrument's serial numberon your first visit only. Look for the link to the ICP-MS User Forum from:www.agilent.com/chem/icpms

Trade Shows and Conferences2007 European Winter Plasma Conference, 18-23Feb 2007, Taormina,Sicily, Italy, www.uc.edu/plasmachem/taormina.htm

Pittcon 2007, 25 Feb 2007 - 02 Mar 2007, Chicago, USA, www.pittcon.org/

CANAS Konstanz, 18-21 March 2007, Germany, www.canas.de

Spectratom Pau, 21-24 May 2007, France,www.speciation.net/TraceSpec2007

Agilent ICP-MS PublicationsTo view and download these latest publications, go towww.agilent.com/chem/icpms and look under "Library Information"

• High-Throughput Semiquantitative Screening of Ambient Air Samples byORS-ICP-MS and Integrated Sample Introduction System (ISIS), 5989-6123EN

Front page photo: Agilent ICP-MS staff: Masa Endo, Product Support,Tokyo Analytical Division and Glenn Carey (standing), Product SupportEngineer, Europe

Official Opening ofMetallomics Center ofthe Americas

Many guests enjoyed the unveiling ofthe University of Cincinnati/ AgilentTechnologies Metallomics Center of theAmericas on Jan. 19. Researcherswill use Agilent provided technologyto pursue work in all fields relatedto metallomics – the analysis ofmetals and metal species and theirinteractions within biological andecological systems. Applicationsinclude neurological research,metalloproteomics, metal tags forultra-trace-level organic compounddetermination, and environmentalmonitoring, among many others, byusing LC paired with ICP-MS andMS.

Chemistry professor and centerdirector Joe Caruso, said, "TheMetallomics Center of the Americasis the first of its kind in the world.The establishment of this centerportends great things for a widespectrum of colleges at the universityand for the center's many partnersthroughout the Americas."

Current partners include:

• Argentina Atomic Energy Commission• Indiana University, U.S.• National Council for Scientific and Technical

Research of Argentina • National Research Council, Canada• Research and Development Center for Industrial

Fermentation, Argentina• Laboratory of Environmental Research and

Services, Argentina• University of Guanajuato, Mexico• University of San Luis, Argentina• University of Sao Paolo Nuclear Energy Center, Brazil

Agilent's Rudi Grimm and University ofCincinnati’s Joe Caruso declare the center open