Matrix Effects in the Emission Spectrometric Analysis of Trace Metals in Biological Specimens

Abstract

A study was made of the effect of metals that appear in animal tissues in the mg% range on the spectrochemical determination of certain trace metals in a NaCl matrix. The presence of as little as 1 mg% of iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, or phosphorus had a marked influence on the spectral response of the trace metals (Cu, Fe, Al, Ba, Mn, Ni, Ca, Sn, Sr, Cr, Zn, Pb, Mo, and Cd) studied. Matrix effects in this medium did not appear to be concentration-dependent or additive. It was concluded that unless the matrix compositions of standard and specimen were closely matched, serious analytical errors would result.