We observed a huge variation between duplicates on food samples analyzed but only on aluminum, essentially at low concentration levels. We assessed the CEN WG 10 recommendations without any improvement. We washed several times with pure nitric acid the quartz vessels used for the microwave digestion that improved a little bit the results but without resolve entirely the problem.
Thierry, I feel your pain.
1. Aluminum is environmentally ubiquitous. It is very easy to contaminate a sample with aluminum "at low concentration levels." Aluminum will even begin to break through water purification system cartridges (following silicon, boron, and tin) if they are not replaced in a timely manner.
2. 27Al+ has several major spectral interferences including HCN+ , 13CN+, and 11BO+. If these are not eliminated, your aluminum results will suffer, especially at low concentrations.
3. Aluminum isomorphically substitutes into silicate crystal lattices. At low concentrations, you may even be losing some Al to the quartz vessels.
4. If you are using a glass spray chamber or nebulizer, expect some trace Al to be leached from these by acid.
5. If you are using a sapphire (alumina) torch, there may be possible problems from this.
I would recommend not to use glassware.Please use prewashed EDTA disposable tube and serum control as well.I sure you will get good results
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