A quadrupole mass spectrometer combined with a spark source has been studied for use in elemental analysis, the technique being termed spark-source quadrupole mass spectrometry (SSQM). Interfacing is not easy, the main reasons being that the spark-source ions exhibit a very large energy-spread, while the quadrupole mass spectrometer has a limited capability for transmitting high- energy ions without loss of resolution. Some physical and instrumental factors are considered, in order to estimate the sensitivity available and to optimize operation. The spark source was coupled with the quadrupole mass spectrometer using a 30° spherical energy-selector associated with a two-stage electrostatic-lens retarding system. With the present sensitivity at unit mass resolution this instrument is capable of measuring the 107Ag + ion current of 1.2 × 10 −14 A from a bulk silver simple.