Determination of Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, and Zn in blood fractions and whole bloodof humans by ICP-OES

Inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was ap plied to the determination of the elements Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, and Zn in blood plasma, erythrocytes, lymphocytes, and whole blood to obtain reliable data on their distribution in blood fractions. The samples were carefully collec ted to avoid contamination. Two different nebulizers (Babington and Meinhar d) were tested and optimized for this analytical problem. Line selections f or all elements of interest were performed (LODs were 0.8 mu g/L for Ca, 1. 7 mu g/L for Cu, 3.0 mu g/L for Fe, 1.1 mu g/L for Mg, and 4.2 mu g/L for Z n). Recoveries were determined as approx. 100%, and standard reference mate rial was analyzed to obtain reliable data on element distribution. The opti mized method was applied to the determination of Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, and Zn in the course of a clinical study on blood and blood fractions of two groups o f humans of differing health. The concentrations measured in blood fraction s were verified by balancing with the values found in whole blood.