Validation of ICP–OES procedure for major and trace elements determination in the leachates of fly ash and fly ash based composites

Abstract

The novel global trends for waste materials processing and recycling, as well as new European standards for sampling and testing of these materials, require better performances of analytical methods for the chemical analysis and improvements regarding their matrices. In this study, a new method for optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-OES) has been developed and subsequently validated for determination of 35 elements comprised in leachates of fly ash and composites based on fly ash, i.e. cement pastes and mortars. Validation performances and the uncertainty measurement were determined and calculated via three different routes: validation method, participation in proficiency testing schemes and standard method. It is proved that this method is acceptable for the determination of all 35 elements in this matrix. The obtained results highlight a new simple and effective analyzing route for quantity determination of undesired trace elements in fluids upon conducted leaching test.