The spatial emission patterns of Ca I and Ca II in an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) arc altered when an easily ionizable element (EIE) is added to a sample solution. As a result, unanticipated interferences can arise in ICP-AES when EIEs of unknown identity or concentration are present. The EIE effect was investigated here by two-dimensional lateral mapping of Ca atomic and ionic emission by means of a monochromatic imaging spectrometer. Lithium served as the EIE at added concentrations from 0 to 1000 mug/ml. The resulting Ca radial emission images, calculated by Abel inversion, displayed in most regions a linear change in intensity with Li concentration. In regions of highest calcium emission, however, the EIE influence on Ca emission signal becomes markedly non-linear and is better fit with a logarithmic function. Principal-component and regression analysis of these EIE-altered images offers some insight into possible mechanisms of the EIE effect.