“…A new quantitative method used the intermediate standard method, in which no internal or external standards were used (256). Various approaches were used to minimize the matrix effect or the influence of differences in chemical bonding on line intensity (218,252). Inert gases (83), mixtures of inert gases with oxygen (137) and of carbon dioxide, hydrogen (71), and oxygen were used in the analytical gap, the carbon electrodes were replaced with metal electrodes (112), or the powdered sample was ignited in a stream of oxygen at 800°C.…”