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.