Abstract

This study evaluates a method for quantifying selenium (Se) concentration in soil using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), with oxygen as a reaction gas. This approach addresses the challenge of detecting low levels of Se in complex soil matrices and aims to effectively minimize interference problems typically associated with argon plasma in traditional ICP-MS analyses. The analytical method utilizes conditions optimized for minimizing spectral interference and were validated by linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection (LOD), and limit of quantification (LOQ). The method demonstrated good linearity, high accuracy (90−97 %), and remarkable sensitivity, achieving detection and quantification limits of 0.15 µg/kg and 0.44 µg/kg, respectively. Developed analysis method for Se in soil was applied to field samples in the different regions of South Korea and Se concentration ranged from 0.11 to 0.52 mg/kg. Correlation analysis between Se concentration and soil properties showed that Se concentration was significantly correlated with cation exchange capacity (CEC) and available phosphorus among other soil properties.