Investigations into the use of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the determination of gold in plant materials

Abstract

The measurement of gold in plant materials using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry is assessed in terms of instrument conditions and methodology problems encountered with the type of digestion method used. Factors including the nebulizer flow rate, forward power and selection of internal standard were optimized for maximum sensitivity and signal stability. Furthermore, different digestion procedures were compared for their recovery and reproducibility. Indigenous plants collected from the vicinity of a mine were analysed for their gold content. Levels of gold in the plant materials ranging from 5 to 7450 ng g^–1(dry mass) were noted with an instrumental detection limit of 0.04 ng ml^–1. The data obtained provide an indication of the concentration and dispersal of gold within the surficial environment of the mine and surrounding area.