Elemental analysis of atmospheric particulate by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A simple, fast and sensitive method has been developed for the determination of over forty elements in atmospheric particulate by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) The method consists of particulate dissolution with mixed acids in high pressure Teflon bomb and subsequent ICP-MS measurement. Accuracy of this method evaluated by the analysis of standard reference materials was excellent (within 20 % RSD) for most elements. Among various potential interferents, chlorine containing molecular ion interferences were most severe such that Se and sometimes V determinations were not possible especially for atmospheric particulars of marine origin. This method was applied to the analysis of Korean aerosols and some results were reported in this paper.