Abstract

A study has been made of mineral-acid interferences in the trace element determination of Fe, Mn and Zn by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. A number of solutions containing 50 µg ml⁻¹ of analytes in acid concentrations of 0 to 50% (v/v) were used. It has been found that HNO₃ and H₂SO₄ depresses the emission signal of the analyte elements. These effects are neither caused by the change in aerosol flow rate nor the amount of aerosol reaching the plasma.