Acid interferences in atomic spectrometry:: analyte signal effects and subsequent reduction

When considering elemental analysis by atomic spectrometry techniques (e.g. flame atomic absorption spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry), the sample is normally introduced as a solution. In many instances an acid is present in that solution, as a result of previous sample preparation steps, analyte stabilization procedures, etc. Therefore, acids are among the most common matrices involved in spectroscopic analysis. The effect of the acid on the different stages taking place during the whole analytical process has been reviewed. Attention has been paid to the three techniques mentioned above. The results summarized here reveal the crucial role that acids play in atomic spectrometry, being one of the most important sources of interferences suffered by these techniques. In the last part of this bibliographic survey, the methods found for correction of the acid effect are mentioned and briefly described. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.