THE PLASMA EMISSION DETECTOR - A SUITABLE DETECTOR FOR SPECIATION ANDSUM PARAMETER ANALYSIS

The technical arrangement and the fundamental principles of a plasma e mission detector (PED) are presented, Based on oscillating interferenc e filters, the PED is able to identify different spectral positions, w hich allow the measurement of emission line intensities together with the accompanying background, To demonstrate the range of possible appl ications, coupling of the PED with two plasma sources (MIP and CMP) an d the analytical principles [adsorbable organohalogen compounds (AOX) and Hg speciation] are described, Furthermore, the analytical performa nce is demonstrated by statistical treatment of multi-element calibrat ions and by the determination of methylmercury (MeHg) in CRMs 463 and 464 from the European Commission's Standard, Measurement and Testing P rogramme.