•Interferences in AA
can be
•Spectral
– atomic spectral lines overlap or are too close to resolve –
these are rare & generally well known or
characterized
•Matrix – scattering of radiation during atomization
(smoke), enhancement by matrix elements, structured background –
handled by background correction
•Chemical
– reactions that take place to alter the analyte (like Ca
atoms reacting with PO4 to form a new species) – change conditions