ICP-OES, or Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy, is an analytical technique used to detect and quantify elements in a sample. It works by introducing a liquid sample into a high-temperature plasma, which excites the atoms and causes them to emit light at characteristic wavelengths. By measuring this emitted light, scientists can determine the concentration of various elements present in the sample. This method is widely used in fields such as environmental monitoring, metallurgy, and food safety due to its ability to analyze multiple elements simultaneously with high sensitivity and accuracy. ICP-OES is particularly effective for detecting trace elements in complex matrices.