Anion exchange for the elimination of spectral interferences caused by chlorine and sulfur in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Abstract

An easily applicable separation method has been developed for the accurate and simultaneous determination of V, Cr, Cu, Zn, As and Se in biological, clinical and environmental samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Chlorine and sulfur, which cause spectral interference with these elements, are retained as anions on an anion-exchange resin column (Dowex-1), whereas the analytes are eluted with dilute nitric acid and collected in the eluate. In most of the examples, the sample preparation is limited to a reduction with SnCl₂. This new approach to the elimination of spectral interferences has been applied to soils, percolate water, sewage and human serum. The results are in good agreement with certified values and results obtained by d.c. plasma atomic emission spectrometry and electrothermal vaporization atomic absorption spectrometry; differences between mean values are <5%.