Direct Determination of Lanthanides in Environmental Samples using Ultrasonic Nebulization and ICP OES

Low concentrations of the fourteen naturally occurring lanthanides were directly determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). Spectral interferences were evaluated and the most appropriate spectral lines selected. Pneumatic and ultrasonic nebulization performances were compared with respect to limits of detection for both radial and axial viewed plasma. The influence of plasma applied power on precision and accuracy was studied for both nebulizers. The developed method was applied to lanthanides determination in environmental samples (sediments, coal fly ash and river water). This work demonstrates that the use of ultrasonic nebulization combined with axially viewed plasma allowed direct determination of low concentrations (at ng g(-1) and ng L-1 levels) of all naturally occurring lanthanides by ICP OES.