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Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) represents one of the most popular techniques for direct analysis of solid samples. The 'ease of use' of the technique has attracted particular attention in the past decades, since it offers rapid access to qualitative and quantitative information of components contained within solid samples without the need for sample preparation. However, it requires thorough understanding of the numerous processes involved to improve its capabilities and reduce its limitations. Therefore, the focus of this work was directed towards fundamental studies using LA-ICP-MS and consists of four main topics. As the main focus of this work, the novel sampling method describes laser ablation sampling in ambient air, utilizing aerosol suction and gas exchange prior to the ICP-MS without loosing significant amounts of particles. With the use of a recently developed Gas Exchange Device (GED), various gases can be online exchanged to argon. The gas exchange is based on gas diffusion through a silica membrane. The present prototype of GED is applicable to exchange air at a flow rate of 0.25 L min -1 by Ar at 0.21 L min -1 . This gas flow is significantly lower than the commonly applied flow rate of carrier gases used for LA, however the results obtained are very promising. The efficiency of air exchange to Ar was studied using various factors monitored during measurements. Oxide formation, background count rates and potential spectral interferences generally caused by polyatomic

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