Stray light and recombination

For certain sample types, both stray light and recombination eflFects on the analytical results can be largely eliminated by matrix matching. Such an approach is not practical for the determination of trace elements in urine because of the wide ranges of calcium and magnesium concentrations which occur in so-called normal samples. 

Apart from the fact that some of the analyte elements were not detected at their normal concentration levels in urine, the main feature of the analytical results was their overall consistency. The results from the method of additions agreed well with those from the calibration approach and, in either case, the results obtained for the dilute, normal, and concentrated sample solutions also were in good agreement with each other. With the exception of arsenic and titanium, the results for the two methods and for the three urine concentrations were within one detection-limit concentration of each other for all of the elements. Although it has been noted (25) that detection-limit values are "inherently imprecise numbers and that detection-limit concentrations "can only be detected,. . . , and not measured quantitatively, the consistency of the analytical results indicates that the backgroimd correction scheme was effective for elimination of the eflFects of stray light and recombination radiation. As noted earlier, the ratios of net analyte line to net internal reference line intensities were used to decrease the eflFects of sample-to-sample variations in total dissolved solids content. 

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