Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and LA-ICP-MS (laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry) were used for the detection of trace metals in a solid matrix consisting of KBr and two oxides. The results of both methods were compared to investigate the strengths and weaknesses of both methods. Most difficulties for quantification of LIBS data are related to matrix effects and self-absorption. The influence of the sample preparation on detection and quantification for LIBS data is not significant, with typical deviations in the range of < 10%. In the case of LA-ICP-MS the detection limits are in principle lower and the quantification is also more precise, but the preparation method strongly influences these data. The oxidation state of the elements as well as the absorption coefficient of the trace metals influence the detection limits of LIBS. The plasma temperatures and the electron densities were determined from the emission spectra, and are typically in the range of 6000-10000 K and between 6.2 X 10(17)-6.8 X 10(17) cm(-3). (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.