Evaluation of electrothermal vaporization for sample introduction aiming at Cu isotopic analysis via multicollector-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A new method for Cu isotopic analysis was developed using a commercially available electrothermal vaporization (ETV) device coupled to multicollector-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS). The method demonstrated potential for the isotopic analysis of microsamples (e.g., 5 mu L) in a biological context. For example, Cu isotopic analysis of NIST 3114 (diluted to 1 mg L-1 Cu) using self-bracketing provided average delta Cu-65 values of 0.00 +/- 0.17%0 (2SD, n = 10) and internal precision values of 712 ppm. In order to achieve this level of accuracy and precision, it is critical to properly deal with the short transient signals generated by the ETV-MC-ICP-MS, which implies using point by point calculations and time lag detector correction (TDC), as well as a criterion to reject potential outliers. The results of this technique were compared with the results obtained via femtosecond-laser ablation-MC-ICPMS using the same pre-treated serum samples. No significant differences were observed among the results obtained in both cases, while external precision was 0.26%0 for ETV-MC-ICP-MS and 0.24%0 for fs-LA-MC-ICP-MS, expressed as median value of 2SD (n = 27), further proving the usefulness of the approach proposed in this context, as the use of ETV results in a more straightforward approach

Commercial traceability of <i>Arapaima</i> spp. fisheries in the Amazon basin: can biogeochemical tags be useful?

The development of analytical tools to determine the origin of fishes is useful to better understand patterns of habitat use and to monitor, manage, and control fisheries, including certification of food origin. The application of isotopic analyses to study calcified structures of fishes (scales, vertebrae, and otoliths) may provide robust information about the fish geographic origin and environmental living conditions. In this study, we used Sr and C isotopic markers recorded in otoliths of wild and farmed commercialized pirarucu (Arapaima spp.) to evaluate their prediction potential to trace the fishes origin. Wild and farmed fish specimens, as well as food used for feeding pirarucu in captivity, were collected from different sites. Isotope composition of otoliths performed by isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS; δ13C) and femtosecond laser ablation multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LAfs-MC-ICPMS; 87Sr∕86Sr) were compared to the isotopic composition of water and of the food given to the fishes in the farms. Wild fish specimens that lived in environments with the largest fluctuation of river water Sr isotope ratios over time presented the largest Sr isotope variations in otoliths. A quadratic discriminant analysis on otolith isotopic composition provided 58&thinsp;% of correct classification for fish production (wild and farmed) and 76&thinsp;% of correct classification for the fish region. Classification accuracy for region varied between 100&thinsp;% and 29&thinsp;% for the Madeira and the Lower Amazon fishes, respectively. Overall, this preliminary trial is not yet fully developed to be applied as a commercial traceability tool. However, given the importance of Arapaima spp. for food security and the generation of economic resources for millions of people in the Amazon basin, further analyses are needed to increase the discrimination performance of these biogeographical tags.</p

Commercial traceability of <i>Arapaima</i> spp. fisheries in the Amazon basin: can biogeochemical tags be useful?

The development of analytical tools to determine the origin of fishes is useful to better understand patterns of habitat use and to monitor, manage, and control fisheries, including certification of food origin. The application of isotopic analyses to study calcified structures of fishes (scales, vertebrae, and otoliths) may provide robust information about the fish geographic origin and environmental living conditions. In this study, we used Sr and C isotopic markers recorded in otoliths of wild and farmed commercialized pirarucu (Arapaima spp.) to evaluate their prediction potential to trace the fishes origin. Wild and farmed fish specimens, as well as food used for feeding pirarucu in captivity, were collected from different sites. Isotope composition of otoliths performed by isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS; δ13C) and femtosecond laser ablation multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LAfs-MC-ICPMS; 87Sr∕86Sr) were compared to the isotopic composition of water and of the food given to the fishes in the farms. Wild fish specimens that lived in environments with the largest fluctuation of river water Sr isotope ratios over time presented the largest Sr isotope variations in otoliths. A quadratic discriminant analysis on otolith isotopic composition provided 58&thinsp;% of correct classification for fish production (wild and farmed) and 76&thinsp;% of correct classification for the fish region. Classification accuracy for region varied between 100&thinsp;% and 29&thinsp;% for the Madeira and the Lower Amazon fishes, respectively. Overall, this preliminary trial is not yet fully developed to be applied as a commercial traceability tool. However, given the importance of Arapaima spp. for food security and the generation of economic resources for millions of people in the Amazon basin, further analyses are needed to increase the discrimination performance of these biogeographical tags.</p

Inputs from microchemistry to the understanding of three Sicydiinae species' life cycle

cited By 1International audienceAmphidromous fish species contribute most to the diversity offish communities in the tropical insular rivers. Hence, their biological life cycle remains poorly known. The otolith elemental composition of three Sicydiinae species Sicyopus zosterophorum, Smilosicyopus chloe, Akihito Vanuatu was investigated to describe their biological life cycle for the first time. The otolith analysis using a femtosecond laser ablation - inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (fs-LA-ICP-MS) revealed an amphidromous life history for the three species as it suggested a habitat shift from a marine habitat to a freshwater environment. Also, several types of elemental profiles were observed in the adult stage suggesting a diversity of behaviors and/or habitats. Water chemistry analyses would help understanding the origin of the ratios variations in the adult stage and would push forward our general understanding of Sicydiinae life cycle

Identification des tactiques de fréquentation des habitats halins chez l'alose feinte et la grande alose

Identification des tactiques de fréquentation des habitats halins chez l'alose feinte et la grande aloseIdentification des tactiques de fréquentation des habitats halins chez l'alose feinte et la grande alos

Protolithe, un projet art et science

International audienceConcepts: An installation to aprehend as an experience. Innovative technics to reveal what is not obvious. The experience of life as a migration journey. Life delimited by water milestones. Immersive experience (fish point of view?

Trace Metal Analysis in Petroleum Products: Sample Introduction Evaluation in ICP-OES and Comparison with an ICP-MS Approach

cited By 26International audienceThe needs of the petroleum industry in studies dedicated to trace metals determination are highly related to exploration, but also to exploitation activities for corrective actions during oil production and refining. Two techniques provide a very large concentration range of metal compounds to be determined on a routine basis, ICP-OES being preferred for major element analysis whereas ICP-MS is particularly convenient for ultra trace metals analysis. Direct introduction of petroleum product in the plasma require a methodical approach in order to minimise matrix effect. Here, three different sample introduction modes have been investigated depending on the elements of interest and the matrix analysed. A classical pneumatic nebulizer and an ultrasonic nebulizer (USN) were compared for ICP-OES. These introduction modes were compared with a microflow pneumatic concentric nebulizer associated with a chilled spray chamber used with ICP-MS. Classical pneumatic nebulisation with ICP-OES leads to ppm range limit of quantification in the petroleum product and five times higher with gasoline due to important dilution factor. The use of an USN coupled with ICP-OES reduce limit of quantification in gasoline to the 50 ppb range, but further study of matrix effects with such an introduction must be done. The PFA-100 associated with a cooled Scott chamber used with ICP-MS reduce also limit of quantification in the petroleum product to the 10 ppb range for most elements. The initial important dilution factor allows the introduction of light matrices without further dilution, but require anyhow the use of a standard addition method, which is time-consuming. Then, the choice of a technique is definitively dependant on the needs required by the laboratory between high throughput analyses and very low limit of quantification

Life history of the Small Sandeel, Ammodytes tobianus, infered from otolith microchemistry. A methodological approach

International audienceKnowledge of life history and connectivity between essential ecological habitats are relevant for conservation and management of species and some natural tracers could be used to study the lifecycles of small or short-lived marine fishes. Although sandeels are central in marine food webs and are key species, there is incomplete knowledge about population mixing and migration patterns. For the first time the use of the otolith microchemistry on sandeel species is evaluated in the case of the Small Sandeel. Variations in microchemical fingerprints of 13 trace elements are performed with a Femtosecond LA-ICPM from the core to the margin of sagittal otolith and are compared within and between otoliths extracted from 34 fishes sampled in three different sites along the coast of the south-western English Channel in France. Firstly, preliminary investigations on the validity of the method revealed that Mg/Ca was the only ratio significantly dependant on fish ontogeny and sampling season. Secondly, the Mn/Ca, Zn/Ca, and Cu/Ca ratios enabled us to significantly discriminate among sampling sites. Thirdly, microchemical fingerprints of each life stage varied significantly among sampling sites but not within them, suggesting high site fidelity over relatively short distances. Finally, the fingerprints of all life stages were significantly different from those of the larval and metamorphosis stages. The otolith microchemistry could detect change of signature relative to the shift from a pelagic behaviour to a resident bentho-pelagic behaviour during the middle of the juvenile stage in Small Sandeels. Hence, analysis of trace element fingerprints in otoliths appears to be a valuable method to further studies on ontogenic habitat change, population mixing and variation of life history and be helpful for the management at local or regional scales of short-lived species such as those belonging to other Ammodytidae

Identification des tactiques de fréquentation des habitats halins chez l'alose feinte et la grande alose

Identification des tactiques de fréquentation des habitats halins chez l'alose feinte et la grande aloseIdentification des tactiques de fréquentation des habitats halins chez l'alose feinte et la grande alos

High repetition rate and low energy femtosecond laser ablation coupled to ICPMS detection: A new analytical approach for trace element determination in solid samples

cited By 14International audienceA low energy and high repetition rate infrared femtosecond laser system was developed for direct trace elements analysis by laser ablation/ICPMS. This system provides improved analytical performances in terms of limits of detection, repeatability, elemental fractionation and depth profile analysis in comparison to conventional nanosecond UV laser ablation used so far in analytical chemistry. Preliminary results show that limits of detection are improved by more than one order of magnitude and the elemental fractionation reduced to negligible values. In addition, depth profile resolution better than 20 nm are easily achievable on a Cr-Ni multilayer material which opens new fields of application in surface analysis. © 2007 IOP Publishing Ltd