Determination of trace elements in sea weed samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The determination of trace elements in sea weed samples by inductively coupled mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has been investigated. After determination of major and minor inorganic elements by ICP atomic emission spectrometry (AES), the internal standardization was evaluated as a correction method for matrix effects in ICP-MS. The results obtained by quadrupole (Q)-ICP-MS after acid digestion agreed well with certified, reference and reported values. The high resolution (HR)-ICP-MS technique was also applied to the determinations of V, Cr and Ni in order to remove the mass spectral overlapping caused by polyatomic ions. Alkali fusion was discussed as a digestion method for the determinations of Zr and Mo. The lanthanide patterns obtained by Leedy chondrite normalization showed smooth curves.