Determination of 16 rare earth elements in vegetables by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Objective To establish a method for determination of 16 rare earth elements in vegetables by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry( ICP-MS). Methods The pretreatment was performed using dry ashing method.103 Rh,115In,and185 Re were used as the internal standards to eliminate non-spectroscopic interference,while collision reaction cell was used to eliminate mass spectroscopic interference. ICP-MS was used to determine 16 rare earth elements in vegetables. To identify the efficiency of dry ashing treatment,two standard reference materials,GBW10015 spinach and GBW10014 cabbage,were selected and pre-treated by dry-ashing method. Furthermore,interference presented in determination and its elimination was discussed. In addition,a series of feasibility tests were conducted. Results At the range of 0. 0 μg / L-5. 0 μg / L,the linear correlative coefficient for all the elements was ≥0. 999 8,the detection limit was 1. 6 × 10-5mg / kg-4. 8 × 10-4mg / kg,the recovery rate was at the range of 90. 1%-110. 0%,the RSD was among 0. 83%-5. 22%,and the measured values of 16 rare earth elements were consisted with the true values in two national standard reference materials GBW10015 spinach and GBW10014 cabbage. Conclusion This method has advantages of high sensitivity and precision,and it can meet the requirements of the rare earth elements in vegetables detection,and is easy to promote.