Because of its multielement capability, element-specificity, low detection limits, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP) is a very promising technique for the detection of specific elemental species separated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This paper evaluates ICP as a detector for HPLC peaks containing specific elements. Detection limits for a number of elements have been evaluated in terms of the minimum detectable concentration of the element at the chromatographic peak maximum. The elements studied were Al, As, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, LI, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nl, P, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, Ti, V, Zn. In addition, ICP was compared with atomic absorption spectrometry for the detection of HPLC peaks composed of EDTA and NTA chelates of copper. Furthermore, ICP was compared to UV solution absorption for the detection of copper chelates. © 1979, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.