Symmetry and Advances in Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry: Applications in Health, Nutrition, and Environmental Research
A special issue of Symmetry (ISSN 2073-8994). This special issue belongs to the section "Chemistry: Symmetry/Asymmetry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 15
Special Issue Editor
Interests: inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS); hyphenated techniques (LC-ICP-MS, LA-ICP-MS, GC-ICP-MS); inorganic mass spectrometry; radioactivity; spectrometry; metal separation science
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The study of symmetry–asymmetry relationships has become a central paradigm in understanding the link between trace elements or toxic elements with complex biological, nutritional, and environmental systems. Symmetry represents balance and stability in elemental and isotopic distributions, while asymmetry reflects deviations that may signal metabolic dysregulation, environmental contamination, or systemic vulnerability. Identifying and characterizing these patterns is essential to elucidate mechanisms linking human health, nutrition, and ecosystems.
Within this framework, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) provides one of the most powerful platforms to investigate symmetry–asymmetry phenomena. Its high sensitivity, multi-elemental coverage, and isotopic resolution allow for the precise detection of equilibrium states, subtle imbalances, and fractionation processes. Recent advances in collision/reaction cell technology, high-resolution sector-field analyzers, and hyphenated techniques further expand its potential to capture symmetry–asymmetry dynamics at trace and ultra-trace levels.
This Special Issue aims to highlight research and methodological innovations that employ ICP-MS not only as an analytical tool, but also as a bridge to explore how symmetry–asymmetry principles shape interpretations in health, nutrition, and environmental monitoring, strengthening the integration between analytical chemistry and life sciences.
Dr. Hector Hernández
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- symmetry–asymmetry
- inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)
- trace elements
- human health
- nutrition
- environmental monitoring
- toxic metals
- micronutrients
- multi-elemental analysis
- analytical chemistry
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