Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry provides chemists with several alternatives for solving analytical problems. Taylor, a research chemist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Boulder, CO, summarizes the operational characteristics of the technology, the types of instrumentation currently available, the relative advantages of different types of sample introduction, techniques for attaining and interpreting results, and potential problems with data acquisition and interpretation for specific applications. Appropriate as a supplementary text for graduate courses involving analytical chemistry or trace element analysis, particularly in chemistry, environmental science, geology, engineering, oceanography, archaeology, physics, and biology.