Determination of Trace Toxic Elements of Lead, Arsenic and Cadmium in Phosphate Ores by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry

A method for the simultaneous determination of trace elements of lead, arsenic and cadmium in phosphate ores by inductively coupled plasmaatomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) was established. The detection limits of the method are 0.042 mg/L for lead, 0.053 mg/L for arsenic and 0.006 mg/L for cadmium. The recoveries of lead, arsenic and cadmium are 109.3%, 94.0% and 90.0% with precision (RSD，n=11) of 0.86%, 1.36% and 1.08% respectively. The method has been applied to the routine inspection of lead, arsenic and cadmium in phosphate ores with satisfactory results.