Determination of Calcium in Certain Fertilizers by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry: Studies of Some Spectral and Interelement Effects at Different Wavelengths

Abstract

Four analytical wavelengths (393.366, 396.847, 317.933, and 422.673 nm) were used to determine Ca in 2 fertilizers by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Matrix effects were studied by adding to real fertilizer solutions fertilizer elements that are known or believed to interfere with Ca determination. Matrix effects were calculated by multiple linear regression. Interference was caused by S, K, or B. At 422.673 nm, the interference of B and K is a spectral effect, and at 396.847 and 317.933 nm, the interference of S and K is an interelement effect. At 393.366 nm, no linear interference was found. The best wavelength for determining Ca in fertilizers by ICP-AES is 396.847 nm.