Myers-Tracy signal compensation in inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry with high dissolved solids solutions

Abstract

A preliminary study has been made of the use of Myers-Tracy signal compensation in inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). It was found that significant improvements in precision, in some instances up to ten-fold, could be obtained in comparison with normal ICP-AES operation. Matrix effects caused by the presence of up to 10%m/V potassium chloride were reduced by the use of signal compensation. However, deviations from standard plasma conditions are required to optimise the effect of ratioing to the internal standard. A comparison of the performance of a high dissolved solids nebuliser and a cross-flow nebuliser showed that the former provides better precision in a potassium chloride matrix in the determination of manganese and copper. Nevertheless, Myers-Tracy signal compensation was found to improve the precision performance of both nebulisers.