Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for an automated sample introduction system, utilizing a demountable direct injection high efficiency nebulizer (d-DIHEN) is provided which incorporates an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) for the measurement of the phosphorus content in acid-digested nucleotides and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). An external pulse-free peristaltic pump provides samples from a container via a probe, and the pump is stopped when the probe is removed from the container.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for an automated sample introduction system, utilizing a demountable direct injection high efficiency nebulizer (d-DIHEN) is provided which incorporates an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) for the measurement of the phosphorus content in acid-digested nucleotides and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The solution uptake rate and volume are reduced from 170 ?L min?1 to 30 ?L min?1 and 10 mL to 2.4 mL, respectively, thereby reducing the required DNA sample mass for solutions containing 3 ?g?1 P from 300 ?g to 72 ?g DNA, in comparison to previous analyses in our lab using a glass, concentric nebulizer with cyclonic spray chamber arrangement. The use of direct injection also improves P (I) 213.617 nm sensitivity by a factor of 4 on average.