Multi-element analysis of wild berries from northern Sweden by ICP techniques

Abstract

In this study, the abundances of 60 chemical elements were determined in berries of blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) and lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) by a combination of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma double focusing sector field mass spectrometry (ICP-SMS). Samples of both species were collected at 35 sites in northern Sweden. The sites are related to four zones representing areas affected by different types of human activity as well as an adjacent reference area. Special care was taken to keep sample contamination during sampling and sample preparation as low as possible. Different approaches such as use of an internal quality control sample, spike recovery tests and comparison between different analytical techniques, were used to ensure the quality of the results. Variations in element concentrations within individual sampling sites were estimated, based upon in-site duplicate sampling and analysis. The contribution from surface contamination to total berry concentrations was assessed by analysis of samples before and after rinsing with water. A comparison of the two species showed that, in spite of very similar concentrations for the majority of the elements, the highest Tl, Sr and Ba values were found in lingonberry while the highest Cl and Re concentrations were found in blueberry. The highest total concentrations of Ag, As, Be, Bi, Br, Cd, Hg, I, Ni, Pb, Sb and Tl were found in berries from mining areas, whereas those of Li, V, Hf, W, Ta and REE were found in the vicinity of high-traffic roads.