Optimum experimental factors were determined for the analytical determination of Al, Cd, Fe, Pb, and Zn by ICP atomic emission spectrometry. Based on systematically determined factor levels, working conditions were found that gave similar, and sometimes better results compared with the hitherto used levels of factors. All measurements were performed with a sampling time of 150 ms as often used in routine analysis in the laboratory. This optimization resulted in a reduced outer plasma gas flow from 15 L/min argon to 12 L/min without any relevant changes of the achievable detection limits. A serious problem was that only one analytical line of Al could be used. A comparison with the lower limit of application (comparable with the detection limit) from German directive DIN 38406, part 22 ([1]), showed that the detection limits of Al and Fe are superior, whereas for Cd there was only little improvement. The detection limits of Zn and especially Pb are always higher than the lower range of application under these conditions. Therefore, the use of two device-parameter sets for hard and soft lines, respectively, is strongly suggested. Maps with the observed signal-to-noise-ratios were systematically acquired for each element analyzed in connection with different strategies for optimum search. mon compromise condition (combined analysis) and the limits of quantification demanded in the German directive DIN 38406, part 22 [1]. Only four, but the most important, experimental factors were changed, the other experimental factors were always kept constant (Tables 1 and 2).

X-ray emission spectra from gunshot residues (GSR) are evaluated in order to assign them to a certain ammunition brand. Classification is based on regularized discriminant analysis (RDA) providing class information as well as additional parameters for judging the quality of an assignment. For visualization of measures such as the posterior probability, distance to centre or inverse Mahalanobis distances different approaches are explored and their common interpretation is evaluated.

The behavior of phosphorus, sulfur and carbon in the argon-ICP-OES was systematically investigated for a wide range of nebulizer gas flows and observation heights. Five lines of phosphorus, four lines of sulfur and three lines of carbon, which have analytical usable detection limits, were taken into consideration. The further parameter set was inspired by the needs of every-day-analysis in the laboratory, especially the low integration time that is necessary for analysis of large amounts of samples. For each element line a signal-to-noise plot was obtained with a method described earlier. The optimum conditions for the combined analysis were determined from signal-to-noise plots of those element lines with the lowest detection limits. The lowest detection limits for phosphorus (0.13 mg/L) and carbon (0.01 mg/L) are useful for solving many analytical problems. However, even the best detection limit for sulfur (2.97 mg/L) is only of limited use without further preconcentration. A major problem was the background of carbon, most probably from carbon dioxide, which increased the available detection limit to about 0.04 mg/L. Surprisingly, the best detection limits were obtained at very low observation heights, which were only a couple of millimeters above the load coil. Fortunately, all elements showed a similar behavior and so the detection limits at compromise conditions were only slightly higher compared with the single-element detection limits.