Flame sample introduction system for inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

Abstract

An oxygen–hydrogen flame sample introduction system for inductively coupled plasma (ICP) atomic emission spectrometry is discussed. Linking two dissimilar sources was found to be a non-trivial exercise. A total consumption burner oxyhydrogen flame–ICP tandem source was used for the analysis of slurries of marine sediment Certified Reference Materials with particle diameters of less than 2 µm. Significant memory effects were observed. Detection limits were 0.3 ppm for Cu, 1 ppm for Mn and 1 ppm for Zn and the precision ranged between 1% and 3%(both determined using aqueous standards).