The combination of ion chromatography (IC) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP/MS) provides a rapid, reliable, and sensitive speciation analysis of wastewater-relevant free and complexed gadolinium compounds. IC-ICP/MS proceeds without costly sample preparation and provides important information on the supply, degradation, and fate of the contrast agents in the (waste)water. The method is also highly suitable for determining compounds containing gadolinium in biological matrixes such as urine or blood.
Additionally, IC-ICP/MS is a powerful tool for monitoring inorganic and iodine-containing ionic oxidation byproducts that form during ozonation of iodinated X-contrast media.