Determination of beryllium in the parts-per-billion range in three standard reference materials by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry.
This paper provides a method to directly determine beryllium in the parts-per-billion range in three standard reference materials by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) emission spectroscopy. Wavelength selection and instrument operating parameters were studied. It was found that the most sensitive wavelength, 313.04 nm, of beryllium is located between two unknown peaks, probably due to the OH molecule. Because of the spectral interference from the unknown peaks it is impossible to determine the beryllium in the sub-parts-per-billion range using the 313.04-nm analytical line. Iron, as present in biological samples, has severe spectral interferences on the Be 234.86-nm line. Due to these effects the emission line at 313.11 nm was selected as the analytical line for Be. The results obtained by the standard addition method and the calibration curve in aqueous solution were compared with the certified value of one standard reference material. The slopes of the two curves were equal. The content of Be In NBS 1571 (orchard leaves) was determined to be 0.0143 μg/g, which is different from the certified value 0.027 μg/g.