Single Particle Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry: A Valuable Tool in Environmental Analysis

The analysis of engineered nanoparticles in environmental samples involves their detection followed by their quantification and characterization. Single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) is an atomic spectrometry technique that allows analytical information to be obtained about nanoparticles containing specific elements and their dissolved forms (element mass per particle, size, and number and mass concentrations). As a result of its outstanding performance, SP-ICP-MS has become a relevant technique for the analysis of environmental samples containing inorganic nanoparticles, but also in the context of ecotoxicological assays and laboratory studies for simulating the release and fate of nanomaterials under environmental conditions.