HYDRIDE PRECONCENTRATION FOR INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA OPTICAL-EMISSION SPECTROMETRY

Studies are presented describing an improved application of the NaBH//4 reduction of soluble arsenite to form arsine as a preconcentration approach for ultra-trace level arsenic determination by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Specialized analyte introduction techniques are described for elimination of reaction by-products that would normally extinguish a medium power plasma discharge. An approach is presented to minimize the need for background correction and facilitate a superior arsenic detection limit in a relatively inexpensive 1. 2 kW inductively coupled plasma system.