Relevance of NH 4F in acid digestion before ICP-MS analysis

Abstract

In order to implement a simpler, less expensive and more safe sample dissolution procedure, we have substituted the HF–HClO 4 mixture by NH 4F. By testing three certified reference materials, lichen 336, basalt BE-N, soil 7, it was found that the three-reagents digestion without HF and HClO 4 (HNO 3 + H 2O 2 + NH 4F was used) was very effective for the pretreatment of ICP-MS measurement. The comparison was based on the measurement results and their uncertainties. All are reference material for amount contents of different trace elements. The accuracy and precision of the developed method were tested by replicate analyses of reference samples of established element contents. The accuracy of the data as well as detection limits (LODs) vary among elements but are usually very good (accuracy better than 8%, LODs usually below 1 μg/g in solids). ICP-MS capabilities enable us to determine routinely 13 and 16 minor and trace elements in basalt and soil.