Ongoing issues that affect the continued maturation of laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) are studied. Spectral interferences in the form of polyatomic ions can hinder the analytical abilities of this method. Differences in the origins of polyatomic ions in solution nebulization ICP-MS versus LA-ICP-MS are investigated through observation of metal oxide (MO⁺) ions. Conditions responsible for the measured MO⁺ abundances are described via the measured gas kinetic temperature (T_gas). The effect of additional gases (nitrogen and helium) on the ICP and MO⁺ ion abundances is also studied using this method. T_gas measurements are also used to establish the origin of metal argide (MAr⁺) ions during LA-ICP-MS experiments and describe conditions during the ion extraction process. The fitness of femtosecond (fs)-LA-ICP-multicollector (MC)-MS for the determination of U isotope ratios from particulates is examined. Advantages of this method over sample dissolution techniques for environmental monitoring are discussed.