Determination of trace elements by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry of biomass and fuel oil reference materials using milligram sample sizes

Most of the analytical techniques used to quantify elements associated with solid samples suffer from high detection limits and cannot be used for trace elements in biomass samples, particularly when only 20 mg are available for analysis. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) can achieve detection limits of parts-per-trillion with liquid sample introduction by solution nebulisation. This technique was therefore tested with two standard biomass reference materials: oriental tobacco leaves and cabbage leaves. Two preparations successfully used on coal standards were used to digest the solid samples: a total digestion method (wet ashing digestion) and a partial leaching (microwave extraction). The concentrations of up to seventeen elements (As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ga, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, V and Zn) were measured after the two preparations. The accuracy and sensitivity of the measurements improved when the dilution factor decreased from 5000 to 1000 and to 500. Since the proportion of mineral matter in biomass samples is small (5%), the microwave digestion extracted elements that are generally not completely extracted from coal samples (e.g. Sb). However, some trace element concentrations were below the limit of quantification after microwave extraction, even with a reduced dilution factor (As, Se and Mo) and could not be quantified. A fuel oil was also digested. The trace element concentrations were very low (between 28 and 0.1 microgram g(-1)) but acceptable results were obtained by applying a dilution factor of 100. Only six elements in the fuel oil (As, Ba, Co, Ni, Se and V) had certified or indicated values. Factors affecting the accuracy and sensitivity of the analyses are discussed. The reproducibility of analysis of the tobacco leaf standard was checked over a period of nine months by both digestion methods. The wet ashing method gave acceptable reproducibility for Ba, Cd, Co, Cu, Ga, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, V and Zn but poor precision for Cr, Se and Sn and showed evidence of residual chloride interference for As. The microwave extraction gave good reproducibility for As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni and Zn but poor precision for Se and low recoveries for Ga, Mn, Sn and V. In spite of the small quantities of material analysed, it proved possible to determine the trace elements at levels down to 0.1 microgram g(-1) in the reference materials.     

高分辨电感耦合等离子体质谱(HR-ICP-MS)法测定土壤污染状况调查样品中的49种元素

全国重点行业企业用地土壤污染状况调查样品分析工作的特点是项目复杂、配套分析方法种类多,缺乏针对大多数无机元素同时测定的方法。建立了一种基于高分辨电感耦合等离子体质谱法(HR-ICP-MS)的分析方法,采用密闭酸溶消解样品,HR-ICP-MS法测定样品中Li、Be、Ti、V、Cr、Mn、Co、Ni、Cu、Zn、Ga、Ge、As、Rb、Sr、Zr、Nb、Mo、Cd、In、Sn、Sb、Te、Cs、Ba、Hf、Ta、W、Tl、Pb、Bi、Th、U以及稀土元素等49种元素。系统研究了质谱干扰并择优选择了测定元素同位素,采用国家一级有证土壤标准物质对方法性能进行了考察,49种元素方法检出限为0.001~0.46 mg/kg,相对标准偏差(RSD,n=8)为0.75%~8.9%,准确度(相对误差RE,Be、As、Cd、Sb)为-5.4%~7.4%,准确度(对数误差ΔlgC,除Te外其余元素)为-0.05~0.04。方法的主要技术参数满足13个企业用地调查分析标准的要求,可为本次调查工作提供一种可借鉴的高效率分析手段。     

Application of an ETV-ICP system for the determination of elements in human hair

When determining element contents in hair samples without sample digestion it is necessary to analyze large sample volumes in order to minimize problems of inhomogeneity of biological sample materials. Therefore an electrothermal vaporization system (ETV) is used for solid sample introduction into an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) for the determination of matrix and trace elements in hair. This paper concentrates on the instrumental aspects without time consuming sample preparation. The results obtained for optimization tests, ETV operating parameters and ICP operating parameters, are shown and discussed. Standard additions are used for calibration for the determination of Zn, Mg, and Mn in human hair. Studies including reproducibility and detection limits for chosen elements have been carried out on certified reference materials (CRMs). The determination of reproducibility (relative standard deviation (RSD) of n = 10) and detection limits (DLs) of Zn (RSD < 8.5%, DL < 0.8 μ g⁻¹), Mn (RSD < 14.1%, DL < 0.3 μ g⁻¹), and Mg (RSD < 7.4%, DL < 6.6 μ g⁻¹) are satisfactory. The concentration values found show good agreement with the corresponding certified values. Further sample preparation steps, including hair sampling, washing procedure and homogenization for hair, relating to measurements of real hair samples are described.     

Multi-element analysis of compost by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) has been applied to multi-element determination in compost samples. Since compost is a heterogeneous mixture of organic and inorganic materials, the influence of sample heterogeneity on the accuracy and precision of analysis was investigated. Several parameters related to the following were studied: laser (energy, laser-beam diameter, preablation. rastering speed, carrier-gas flow rate), sample preparation (use of compacted pellets, grinding time, particle size, sample amount, length of hydraulic press treatment, position of line scan), and the ICP-MS system (quantitative versus semiquantitative analysis, matrix-matched standards and liquid standards calibration). The main causes of imprecision in sample preparation were determined to be particle size and grinding time. The effect of sample heterogeneity on precision was also evaluated by using different test samples (pellets). For Ni, Zn and Pb, the greatest contribution to the total relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) was related to analyte determination. For Mn and Cu, sample heterogeneity and analyte determination contributed equally to the total R.S.D., whereas for Cr, Co, Cd and Hg sample heterogeneity accounted for most of the total R.S.D. A comparison of semiquantitative and quantitative analysis modes showed that better precision and very good agreement with certified reference material was obtained with the latter, but semiquantitative analysis could be a practical alternative. Although accuracy of results was improved with matrix-matched standards calibration the use of standard addition calibration with aqueous standards could be another possibility.     

Identification of organically associated trace elements in wood and coal by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) was used to extract samples of wood (forest residue) and coal; the extracts were analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) using two different sample preparation methods, in order to identify trace elements associated with the organic part of the samples. A sample of fly ash was similarly extracted and analysed in order to assess the behaviour of the mineral matter contained within the wood and coal samples. 32% of the biomass was extracted at the higher temperature and 12% at room temperature while only 12% of the coal was extracted at the higher temperature and 3% at room temperature. Less than 2% of the ash dissolved at the higher temperature. Size exclusion chromatograms of the extracts indicated the presence of significant amounts of large molecular mass materials (>1000 mu) in the biomass and coal extracts but not in the ash extract. Trace element analyses were carried out using ICP-MS on the acid digests prepared by 'wet ashing' and microwave extraction. Sixteen elements (As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ga, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, V and Zn) were quantified, in the samples before extraction, in the extracts and in the residues. Concentrations of trace elements in the original biomass sample were lower than in the coal sample while the concentrations in the ash sample were the highest. The major trace elements in the NMP extracts were Ba, Cu, Mn and Zn from the forest residue; Ba, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn from the coal; Cu and Zn from the ash. These elements are believed to be associated with the organic extracts from the forest residue and coal, and also from the ash. Be and Sb were not quantified in the extracts because they were present at too low concentrations; up to 40% of Mn was extracted from the biomass sample at 202 degrees C, while Se was totally extracted from the ash sample. For the forest residue, approximately 7% (at room temperature) and 45% (at 202 degrees C) of the total trace elements studied were in the extract; for the coal, approximately 8% (at room temperature) and 23% (at 202 degrees C) were in the extract. For the ash, only 1.4% of the trace elements were extracted at 202 degrees C, comprising 25% of Cd but less than 1% of Pb.     

Evaluation of semiquantitative analysis mode in ICP-MS

Semiquantitative analysis mode in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has been popularly used for fast screening purposes. Although the benefit of it has been studied by many researchers, its performance of application in real-world routine analyses has not been reported.

In this study, we evaluated the reliability of semiquantitative analysis mode through inter-laboratory comparison using two different ICP-MS systems with one multi-element calibration standard. The suitability of semiquantitative analysis mode in routine analysis laboratory was demonstrated by evaluating its application in different laboratories and in real production laboratory practices. Twenty one elements were measured, namely, Be, B, Al, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ba, Tl, and Pb in various fresh water reference samples. Good results concerning accuracy (relative percentage error within 10%) and reproducibility (relative standard deviation lower than 5%) were obtained in more than 90% analyzed samples at concentrations equal to or greater than 10 times the detection limit (DL). Semiquantitative analysis mode also enabled the determination of elements that are not present in the calibration standard. The results demonstrated the potential of semiquantitative analysis mode as a reliable approach in routine laboratory determination of simple matrices, where high throughput and cost-effectiveness are desired, as well as in emergency situations where speed of analysis is critical and quite often limited sample information is available.     

Ultratrace Elements in Terrestrial Water as Determined by High-Resolution ICP-MS

The double-focusing inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was proved to be an extraordinarily sensitive analytical technique. When this ICP-MS was combined with an ultrasonic nebulizer to increase the sample introduction efficiency, the detection power of the system was enhanced even further. The detection limits of most elements attained by this technique were less than 0.1 ppt and reached as low as 1 ppq (1/1000 ppt) for several elements. Analytical results of the standard reference materials, SRM 1643c (trace elements in water) provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and SLRS-2 (riverine water) supplied by the National Research Council of Canada showed that the concentration values obtained by this method were in good agreement with the certified values for all the elements examined. Although the concentration levels of elements in freshwater were in most cases lower than 1 ppm with the exception of several major elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg, Si, S, and CI), it was possible to determine around 40 ultratrace elements (Li, Be, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Rb, Sr, Y, Cd, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Th, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, TI, Pb, Bi, Th, and U) with acceptable speed (less than 30 s per element) and precision (around 5% RSD) by direct sample introduction. No sample pretreatment, such as chemical separation and/or preconcentration, was necessary. It was also possible to directly determine as many as about 40 ultratrace elements in rainwater on as routine basis, although a much longer integration time (about 5 min/element) was applied because the concentration levels of elements in rainwater are far lower than those observed in river and lake water,     

Determination of trace elements in ambient aerosol samples

A microwave-assisted digestion procedure using HNO₃, HF, and H₂O₂ has been developed for analysis of elements in ambient particulate matter (PM). The samples are collected on cellulose filters and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The ICP-MS is calibrated with external standards, and recovery of analytes is tested with NIST SRM 1648 Urban Dust. This method has been used to quantify the airborne concentrations of a large number of elements, including Ag, As, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Se, Sb, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, and Zn. For the majority of these elements, recovery of the NIST SRM is within 15% of the certified values.     

Epsilon5高能偏振能量色散X-射线荧光光谱仪测定垃圾焚烧灰渣中有害元素

使用粉末样品压片制样,用Epsilon5高能偏振能量色散X射线荧光(EDXRF)光谱仪测定垃圾焚烧灰渣中S、Cl、Ba、Cr、Cu、Na、Mn、Pb、Zn、Cd、As、Mo等多种有害元素,采用土壤、水系沉积物、海底沉积物、矿物等国家标准物质和人工合成标样作为校准。     

Lead determination in whole blood by laser ablation coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

This work describes a simple procedure for blood lead level determination. The proposed method requires little sample pretreatment and subsequent direct analysis of a dried blood spot on a filter membrane using laser ablation coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). In general, LA-ICP-MS studies are somewhat limited by the lack of matrix-matched standards for calibration purposes. Here we describe aqueous standard calibration and matrix-matched calibration methods. This method was validated by analysis of the reference materials. With the matrix-matched calibration method, the recovery ranged from 97.8% to 112.8%, while the aqueous standard calibration method ranged 90.4% to 122.4%. The lower detection limit was estimated as 0.1 ng mL⁻¹. The determination precision, expressed as the relative standard deviation (RSD), was not worse than 10% for all results. A sample throughput of approximately 5 min per sample made it possible to rapidly screen a large number of samples.     

高分辨等离子体质谱法直接测定高纯镓中的痕量元素

建立高分辨电感耦合等离子体质谱法(HR-ICP-MS)测定高纯镓样品中Be、Mg、A l、S i、Ti、V、Cr、Mn、Fe、Co、N i、Cu、Zn、Ge、As、Mo、Ag、Cd、In、Sb、Ba、Pb、B i等痕量元素的方法。样品用HNO3 HC l经微波消解后,试液直接进样用HR-ICP-MS法同时测定上述元素,在高分辨质谱测量模式下避免了大量的质谱干扰,详细地研究了HC l和高纯镓所产生的基体效应,以Sc、Rh、Tl作为内标元素校正了基体效应,讨论和确定了实验的最佳测定条件。结果表明,23种痕量元素的检出限在0.001~0.21μg/L之间;回收率在89.8%~111.6%之间,相对标准偏差(RSD)小于3.3%。     

Optimized simultaneous determination of several elements in human intestinal Caco-2 TC7 cells by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry after closed vessel microwave digestion

A rapid procedure, based on closed vessels microwave digestion and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), was evaluated to ascertain the effect of chronic exposure to cadmium on intracellular accumulation of minor and essential trace elements in cultured epithelial cells (Caco-2 TC7). For all measurements, the method of external calibration was used and 3 elements (Be, Sc, In) were selected as internal standards. Optimization procedures are discussed and results are presented for the total determination of 9 key analytes (Na, Mg, Ca, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Mo, and Cd) in certified reference materials (CRMs) and 20 samples of Caco-2 TC7 cells long-term exposed to Cd. The performance characteristics of the analytical system were evaluated by calibration and linearity, limits of detection and quantitation, accuracy with spiking, trueness and repeatability with available CRMs. As a complement to the ICP-MS determinations, both available CRMs and cell samples were analyzed either by electro thermal- or flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The results were in good agreement with the ICP-MS results.     

Elemental analysis of freshwater samples collected in the former USSR by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Approximately 100 freshwater samples (ground water, surface water, etc.) collected in the former USSR were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Standard water, NBS SRM 1643b, was used for quality control. By using the semi-quantitative analysis mode, analytical data and certified values (or informative values) were in agreement within ±30%. Concentrations of B, Ni, Se, Sr and Ba were found to be higher than global means. Concentration levels of Ag and Pb tended to be lower. For Be, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, Tl, and Bi, the concentrations were almost equal to the global levels.     

Optimization of sample preparation and ICP-MS analysis for determination of 60 elements for characterization of the plant ionome

An ICP-MS method for determination of 60 elements in plant samples is proposed based on optimization of digestion, recommending use of HF besides HNO₃ and H₂O₂ and calibration procedures, using CRMs for construction of calibration curves. Adequate choice of analytical isotopes and various measurement conditions (cold plasma for the determination of Al, Ba, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Si and Sr and DRC mode for determination of Ag, As, Ni, Pd, Pt, Se and V) as well as introduction of appropriate corrections lead to determination of as large number of elements with quadropole ICP-MS as with the more expensive SF-ICP-MS. Two measurements are performed: cold plasma and standard/DRC mode. The analytical characteristics of the method are demonstrated by analysis of five CRMs and the agreement of the experimental results with the certified/information/literature values is very good. Detection limits are low enough to permit the determination of all elements but platinum metals at background level. The applicability of the method is demonstrated by analysis of Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) samples collected from regions with different anthropogenic influence. The results indicate high degree of pollution round the Pb-Zn smelter with As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn and increased concentrations of B, Be, Bi, Hg, In, Mn, Sb, Se, Sn, Ti, Tl, V and Zr. The dandelion sample, collected along a highway has increased concentrations of traffic released elements: Pt, Pd, Rh, Ce, La, Pb as well as Cu, Zn, Ba and Rb.     

Multivariate optimization by exploratory analysis applied to the determination of microelements in fruit juice by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

A method for the direct determination (without sample pre-digestion) of microelements in fruit juice by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry has been developed. The method has been optimized by a 2³ factorial design, which evaluated the plasma conditions (nebulization gas flow rate, applied power, and sample flow rate). A 1:1 diluted juice sample with 2% HNO₃ (Tetra Packed, peach flavor) and spiked with 0.5 mg L^− 1 of Al, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, and Zn was employed in the optimization. The results of the factorial design were evaluated by exploratory analysis (Hierarchical Cluster Analysis, HCA, and Principal Component Analysis, PCA) to determine the optimum analytical conditions for all elements. Central point condition differentiation (0.75 L min^− 1, 1.3 kW, and 1.25 mL min^− 1) was observed for both methods, Principal Component Analysis and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis, with higher analytical signal values, suggesting that these are the optimal analytical conditions. F and t-student tests were used to compare the slopes of the calibration curves for aqueous and matrix-matched standards. No significant differences were observed at 95% confidence level. The correlation coefficient was higher than 0.99 for all the elements evaluated. The limits of quantification were: Al 253, Cu 3.6, Fe 84, Mn 0.4, Zn 71, Ni 67, Cd 69, Pb 129, Sn 206, Cr 79, Co 24, and Ba 2.1 µg L^− 1. The spiking experiments with fruit juice samples resulted in recoveries between 80 and 120%, except for Co and Sn. Al, Cd, Pb, Sn and Cr could not be quantified in any of the samples investigated. The method was applied to the determination of several elements in fruit juice samples commercialized in Brazil.     

电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定花生中34种元素

建立了微波消解-碰撞/反应池(ORS)电感耦合等离子体质谱仪(ICP-MS)同时测定花生中的Na、Mg、Ca、Fe、Se、Mo和稀土元素等34种元素的分析方法。样品经微波消解后,在线加入内标元素45Sc、72Ge、103Rh、115In和209Bi消除基体效应,应用碰撞反应池技术,以4.5 mL/min流速的氦气作为碰撞反应气,有效消除多原子离子产生的质谱干扰。各元素的检出限为0.0003～17.37ng/mL,相对标准偏差(RSD)低于2.9%;标准物质的测定值均在标准值范围内,结果令人满意。该方法可用于花生中多种元素的同时测定。     

Determination of trace elements in wines and classification according to their provenance

Provenance and authenticity of wines can be recognized on the basis of typical mineral and trace element patterns by means of chemometric methods. Therefore analytical methods were developed for the determination of As, Be, Co, Cs, Ga, Li, Nb, Ni, Rb, Te, Ti, W, Y, and Zr as well as Mo, Cd, Sb, Tl, U, and the rare earth elements in wines by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). For low risk of contamination or loss of analyte as well as depletion of sample amount and an easy sample pretreatment, direct measurement of diluted wines was studied. The accuracy of the analytical results was proven by recovery experiments by method comparison with standard addition methods and measurement of digested wines. In addition to applying statistical methods for characterizing the precision of the methods, the uncertainty of the measurements was estimated.Results for the elements mentioned above and additional 16 elements (Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mg, P, Pb, Si, Sn, Sr, V, and Zn) were evaluated by data analytical methods. Due to a specific choice of the analytes for multivariate statistical investigation a prediction rate by cross validation of 88.6% could be achieved.     

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric determination of heavy metals in sea-water samples after pre-treatment with a chelating resin disk by an on-line flow injection method

A new on-line flow injection (FI) pre-treatment system using a disk-type chelating resin (5 mm diameter, 0.5 mm thickness) was developed for the simultaneous multi-element determination of trace metals in sea-water samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A chelating resin possessing an iminodiacetate (IDA) functional group was used for the collection of trace elements and the elimination of alkali and alkaline earth metals in highly concentrated salt solution. A 1 ml volume of a sea-water sample (pH 5.5) was applied to the chelating resin disk. Considering the removal efficiency for Ca, 50 mM ammonium acetate buffer solution (pH 5.5) was chosen as a sample carrier. The enriched trace metals were eluted with 0.1 M nitric acid and the eluate flowed into the ICP-MS system. The processing time for one sample was < 6 min (350 s). One of the important observations is the possibility of working with a low recovery, even lower than 50%. For example, several elements such as Mn, Cr, As, Mo, Ba and U, the recovery of which was < 50% in a batch-wise method, showed good linearity and reproducibility. The proposed method was evaluated by analyzing two kinds of sea-water certified reference materials, CASS-4 and NASS-5. Analytical data for eight heavy metals, V, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo, Cd and U, obtained from the present study agreed well with the certified values.     

Development of a certified reference material (NMIJ CRM 7505-a) for the determination of trace elements in tea leaves

A certified reference material (CRM) for trace elements in tea leaves has been developed in National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ). The CRM was provided as a dry powder (<90 μm) after frozen pulverization of washed and dried fresh tea leaves from a tea plant farm in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Characterization of the property value for each element was carried out exclusively by NMIJ with at least two independent analytical methods, including inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), high-resolution (HR-) ICP-MS, isotope-dilution (ID-) ICP-MS, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), graphite-furnace atomic-absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS) and flame atomic-absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Property values were provided for 19 elements (Ca, K, Mg, P, Al, B, Ba, Cd, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, Zn and Co) and informative values for 18 elements (Ti, V, Cr, Y, and all of the lanthanides, except for Pm whose isotopes are exclusively radioactive). The concentration ranges of property values and informative values were from 1.59% (mass) of K to 0.0139 mg kg(-1) of Cd and from 0.6 mg kg(-1) of Ti to 0.0014 mg kg(-1) of Lu, respectively. Combined relatively standard uncertainties of the property values were estimated by considering the uncertainties of the homogeneity, analytical methods, characterization, calibration standard, and dry-mass correction factor. The range of the relative combined standard uncertainties was from 1.5% of Mg and K to 4.1% of Cd.     

Chemical vapour generation of transition metal volatile species for analytical purposes: determination of Zn by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry

Volatile species of Zn were generated by merging acidified aqueous samples and sodium tetrahydroborate(III) solution in a continuous flow system. The gaseous analyte was subsequently introduced via a stream of Ar carrier into the inlet tube of the plasma torch. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used for detection. The operating conditions (chemical and physical parameters) and the concentrations of different inorganic (hydrochloric, nitric) and organic acids (acetic, citric, oxalic, tartaric) were evaluated for the efficient generation of Zn vapour. A detection limit (3sigma(blank)) of 4.6 ng mL(-1) was achieved. The precision (RSD) of the determination was 6.9% at a level of 250 ng mL(-1) and 4.7% for 1000 ng mL(-1) (n = 10). The efficiency of the generation process was estimated to be close to 50% in HCl. The possible interferent effect of transition metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni), hydride forming elements (As, Ge, Pb, Sb, Se) and Hg on Zn signal was examined. The method was validated by the determination of Zn in a certified reference material (CRM), NIST 1643d trace elements in water.