Interferences in Thermospray Flame Furnace AAS: Co and Mn Behavior

The effects caused by concomitants [Na(I), K(I), Ca(II), and Mg(II)] on the atomization of cobalt and manganese by thermospray flame furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (TS-FF-AAS) were here studied. The main concomitants were chosen according to typical major elements found in foods and beverages. Severe interference effects were caused by all concomitants. The interferences varied from −101.0% to +360.0% and −117.5% to +175.5% for Co and Mn, respectively. These data demonstrated a frequently paradoxical situation in spectrochemical analysis, that is, efforts are directed toward the introduction of a higher amount of sample, however, when this condition is attained, there is the manifestation of severe processes of interferences. These interference processes require the application of either previous separation steps or special strategies of calibration.