Icp sample degradation question ?

[Tangdora]

Hi

Thinking about doing a first ever Icp and adding it as a schedule routine. No question they provide good use. However the one thing that has always kept me from pulling the trigger has been the thought around how accurate the number can be when the sample pulled has been subject to an extended period of time from the tank. It’s one thing to pull a sample and check on the spot. But the thought of your sample sitting in the back of a shipping van baking in 100+ degree temps for days and hours or turning into a slush in middle peek winter has always left me wondering how accurate result can sometime be. Not to mention shipping delays that can turn 1-2 day shipping time into a week.

Curious if I’m overthinking it and the value don’t really degrade or alter. Or if there are standard that your suppose to take like insulating the sample or paying for next days shipping , ……

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

How the sample is treated may impact some values, but I think a more detailed response might be had from Christoph at Oceamo who has a perspective that can come from large numbers of tests and studies.

@Christoph

 

[Christoph]

Hello everyone,

Most parameters in our analyses are very stable—even when samples are stored for an extended period. Out of curiosity, we tested some samples that had been stored for around a year and didn’t observe any drastic changes. However, this only applies to microfiltered samples. Unfiltered samples can contain particulates and are biologically active, which can significantly alter the composition over time.


In fact, algae growth is often visible in unfiltered samples within a relatively short period.


We've shared our stability data in this thread:
Oceamo ICP-MS Seawater Accuracy and Precision Data

One important takeaway: Significant changes can occur if the sample tube is filled completely and exposed to freezing temperatures. To avoid this, always leave about 1 mL of airspace in the tube when sampling.


One parameter that tends to be less stable, even in filtered samples, is phosphate. That’s why we include a chemical stabilizer in our ICP-MS sampling kits to preserve phosphate levels right from the time of sampling.


If you have any further questions, I'm happy to help!


Best regards,
Christoph

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Hello everyone,

Most parameters in our analyses are very stable—even when samples are stored for an extended period. Out of curiosity, we tested some samples that had been stored for around a year and didn’t observe any drastic changes. However, this only applies to microfiltered samples. Unfiltered samples can contain particulates and are biologically active, which can significantly alter the composition over time.


In fact, algae growth is often visible in unfiltered samples within a relatively short period.


We've shared our stability data in this thread:
Oceamo ICP-MS Seawater Accuracy and Precision Data

One important takeaway: Significant changes can occur if the sample tube is filled completely and exposed to freezing temperatures. To avoid this, always leave about 1 mL of airspace in the tube when sampling.


One parameter that tends to be less stable, even in filtered samples, is phosphate. That’s why we include a chemical stabilizer in our ICP-MS sampling kits to preserve phosphate levels right from the time of sampling.


If you have any further questions, I'm happy to help!


Best regards,
Christoph

Perfect. Thanks very much, Christoph.

 

[Tangdora]

Hello everyone,

Most parameters in our analyses are very stable—even when samples are stored for an extended period. Out of curiosity, we tested some samples that had been stored for around a year and didn’t observe any drastic changes. However, this only applies to microfiltered samples. Unfiltered samples can contain particulates and are biologically active, which can significantly alter the composition over time.


In fact, algae growth is often visible in unfiltered samples within a relatively short period.


We've shared our stability data in this thread:
Oceamo ICP-MS Seawater Accuracy and Precision Data

One important takeaway: Significant changes can occur if the sample tube is filled completely and exposed to freezing temperatures. To avoid this, always leave about 1 mL of airspace in the tube when sampling.


One parameter that tends to be less stable, even in filtered samples, is phosphate. That’s why we include a chemical stabilizer in our ICP-MS sampling kits to preserve phosphate levels right from the time of sampling.


If you have any further questions, I'm happy to help!


Best regards,
Christoph

Perfect thanks for the detailed explanation . Based on your feedback. Would it then be wise let’s say to pour your sample trough a coffee filter to remove particulates prior to sending. Or is a “short” period beyond the the range of what it would typically take to receive a sample and test.

 

[KStatefan]

Perfect thanks for the detailed explanation . Based on your feedback. Would it then be wise let’s say to pour your sample trough a coffee filter to remove particulates prior to sending. Or is a “short” period beyond the the range of what it would typically take to receive a sample and test.

Oceamo test come with a filter

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Perfect thanks for the detailed explanation . Based on your feedback. Would it then be wise let’s say to pour your sample trough a coffee filter to remove particulates prior to sending. Or is a “short” period beyond the the range of what it would typically take to receive a sample and test.

No. Christoph means a filter that is very fine. Coffee filter won’t be desirable.

 

[Christoph]

Its very important to use a certified filter, other filters can do more harm by releasing certain trace elements from the filter membrane. Please thus use only the filters supplied with the testkit, and do not re-use them.

All the best,
Christoph