The purpose of study is to develop standard methods for analysis of trace elements in coal by ICP-OES and ICP-MS combined with microwave-assisted digestion. It is strongly needed to develop safe and efficient digestion methods compatible with the instrumental analyses. In this study, we try to use a mixture of HNO_3 and H_2O_2 as coal digestion reagents. The use of this simple mixture without addition of conventionally used reagents HF, HCl or HClO_4 is favorable to a stable and simple instrumental operation. It was interesting to find that almost all the trace elements examined were successfully determined with reference to three standard coals.
