Integration of instrumental neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry with mathematical modeling for the elemental analysis of plants

Metals in fourteen plants were analyzed in parallel by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) for the possible integration of the analytical techniques. INAA correlates well with ICP-OES for Ca, K, Fe, Mn, Mg, and Zn. Advantages of INAA include its nondestructive nature and ease of sample preparation. ICP-OES requires destructive sample digestion, but provides superior limits of detection. Therefore, ICP-OES is the method of the choice for low elemental concentrations. In general, ICP-OES is a better choice for Cr, Sr, and Cu in plant analysis for accuracy. On the other hand, a simple mathematical model was developed for predicting the concentrations of Cu and Cr that were measured by INAA. The predicted values of the elements showed consistency to their corresponding certified values as well as to the concentrations measured by ICP-OES, specifically for Cu or when the concentrations exceeded 5 mg/kg.