Determination of bismuth in open ocean waters by inductively coupled plasma sector-field mass spectrometry after chelating resin column preconcentration

A novel low-blank method is described for the analysis of bismuth in seawater based on preconcentration using an ethylenediaminetriacetic acid chelating resin column followed by determination with inductively coupled plasma sector-field mass spectrometry (ICPSFMS). A sample is siphoned into and drains through the column with the flow rate being kept constant by using a flotation device. Bi in 250 mL of acidified seawater is extracted onto the column in this process and eluted with 2 mL of 3 M HNO3 followed by 3 mL of ultra-high purity water. The concentration of Bi in the eluate is measured by ICPMS. The benefits of the method compared to others are its simplicity, a smaller amount of seawater, and lower procedural blanks and detection limits at pg kg−1 levels. Data on dissolved Bi in open ocean reference samples of SAFe and GEOTRACES programs are presented for the first time.

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► We introduce a new technique by which solution is siphoned at a constant flow rate.
► We establish a low-blank method for the determination of Bi in open ocean waters.
► The method is based on chelating resin column preconcentration and ICPSFMS.
► The merits of the method are a smaller amount of seawater and high throughput.
► Data on Bi in open ocean reference samples are obtained for the first time.