Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS) is the most commonly used detection technique in trace element analysis.Although ICP-MS shows many advantages in elemental analysis

it still encounters many problems when samples with complex matrices are detected.Suppression or enhancement of the analyte signals is often observed in the presence of matrix effects.The degree of matrix effect depends not only on the absolute concentration of matrix components

but also on the type of matrix

the physical and chemical properties of the analyte and the instrument conditions.Several types of common matrix effects and the influencing factors in ICP-MS are introduced in this article

including elemental matrix

carbon contained matrix

acid matrix and instrument conditions

etc.The possible causes of matrix effects are explored.The methods for removing matrix effects

such as sample pretreatment methods

sample introduction system

instrument optimization and calibration methods etc.

are systematically summarized in this article.Besides

in the conclusion

the development tendency for analysis of matrix effects is also summarized and looked forward to.