Significance of generation of cation-exchange surfaces by grinding to slurry nebulization

The generation of additional cation-exchange surfaces as a consequence of grinding mineral samples (i.e. Ba, Sr, Ca, Al) is discussed, especially with respect to the successful analysis of samples using the standard additions technique with slurry atomization. The possible influence of such cation-exchange surfaces upon the functioning of chemical modifiers such as ionization buffers is briefly considered.