Interferences from bivalent cations in the determination of selenium by hydride-generation and atomic-absorption spectrometry: a discussion of the claim that the metal ions are reduced to the metallic state by sodium borohydride.

The cause of interference by bivalent cations in the determination of selenium by hydridegeneration and atomic-absorption is still the subject of debate. It is suggested that these ions react with sodium borohydride to produce the metal borides and not, as generally supposed, the elemental metals. The metal borides are known to be highly reactive and could cause decomposition of the selenium hydride before it reaches the detection unit.