A rapid and simple method for the determination of trace metals in hair samples by atomic absorption spectrometry

Acid digestion procedures are described for the dissolution of human head hair in routine determinations of cadmium, chromium, mercury, lead and zinc in the same sample solution by means of atomic absorption spectrometry. The techniques employed are atomization in a Massman graphite furnace or in an air—acetylene flame; the cold-vapor cell is used for mercury. The entire analytical procedure is tested with powdered homogenized head hair samples, previously analyzed by other analytical techniques. Comparison of the results demonstrates that the proposed technique is at least as precise and accurate as the other procedures used.     

Optimization of a simultaneous multi-element atomic absorption spectrometer

A variable-size simplex procedure was used to optimize the overall response of a simultaneous multi-element flame atomic absorption spectrometer. Seven factors (air to fuel ratio, slit width, height above the burner head, and four hollow cathode lamp currents) were optimized for copper, iron, manganese, and zinc atomic absorption. A univariate search procedure was used to determine the effect of individual factors on response. The results of the optimization showed that a comprise set of operating conditions must be used when performing multi-element determinations. The atomic absorption sensitivity of the multi-element determination as compared to single-element determination was reduced by a factor of no more than two.     

Sorption of trace metals on human hair and application for cadmium and lead pre-concentration with flame atomic absorption determination

Human hair shavings were characterized as a sorbent for trace metals. At pH 7.0 metal sorption follows the order Pb(II)>Cd(II)>Cr(VI)>Fe(III)>Cu(II)>Ni(II)>Mn(VI). Metal recovery is quantitative for Pb and Cd after 30 min of equilibration. Recovery of other metals is less quantitative and varies with pH. For example, while Cu is best recovered at pH 5, Ni and Mn are sorbed optimally in the basic pH region. Sorbed metals can be washed off the sorbent with 0.5 mol L(-1) strong mineral acids or more completely with 0.1 mol L(-1) ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Typical sorption isotherms were obtained for Cd and Pb with sorption capacities of 39 and 26 micromol g(-1), respectively.Hair sorbent was used for 40-fold pre-concentration of Cd and Pb from treated wastewater samples followed by flame atomic absorption spectroscopic (FAAS) determination. Comparison of the data obtained for lead and cadmium by the proposed pre-concentration method with that by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS) showed 79 to 86% recovery and comparable analytical precision. Common cations and anions at the levels normally present in natural water do not interfere in the proposed pre-concentration-FAAS method.     

A capacitively coupled microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometer for the determination of trace metals in microsamples

A capacitively coupled microwave plasma operating at 450 to 850 W is used for atomic emission spectroscopy. The laboratory-constructed system contains a tungsten cup electrode capable of holding a volume of up to 30 μl. Microwaves are used to dry the sample, while at higher powers the plasma is ignited for sample vaporization and excitation. The entire analysis can be carried out in less than 5 min. A mixture of helium and hydrogen is used as the plasma gas. A spherical or cylindrical shaped plasma can be formed depending upon the gas flow rate and the microwave power selected. The effects of experimental parameters, such as gas flow rate, atomization power, electrode position and plasma shape are examined. Detection limits for Cd, Mg and Zn are in the low picogram range for a 10 μl sample; the relative standard deviation is less than 10%.     

Analytical procedure for the simultaneous voltammetric determination of trace metals in food and environmental matrices. Critical comparison with atomic absorption spectroscopic measurements

An analytical procedure fit for the simultaneous determination of copper (II), chromium(VI), thallium(I), lead(II), tin(II), antimony(III), and zinc(II) by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) in three interdependent environmental matrices involved in foods and food chain as meals, cereal plants and soils is described. The digestion of each matrix was carried out using a concentrated HCl-HNO3-H2SO4 (meals and cereal plants) and HCl-HNO3 (soils) acidic attack mixtures. 0.1 mol/L dibasic ammonium citrate pH 8.5 was employed as the supporting electrolyte. The voltammetric measurements were carried out using, as working electrode, a stationary hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) and a platinum electrode and an Ag/AgCl/KClsat electrode as auxiliary and reference electrodes, respectively. The analytical procedure was verified by the analyses of the standard reference materials: Wholemeal BCR-CRM 189, Tomato Leaves NIST-SRM 1573a and Montana Soil Moderately Elevated Traces NIST-SRM 2711. For all the elements in the certified matrix, the precision as repeatability, expressed as relative standard deviation (Sr %) was lower than 5%. The accuracy, expressed as percentage relative error (e %) was of the order of 3-7%, while the detection limits were in the range 0.015-0.103 microg/g. Once set up on the standard reference materials, the analytical procedure was transferred and applied to commercial meal samples, cereal plants and soils samples drawn in sites devoted to agricultural practice. A critical comparison with spectroscopic measurements is also discussed.     

Electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometric determination of trace metals in uranium-plutonium fuel materials

Summary Atomic absorption spectrometric methods using the electrothermal mode of atomization developed for the determination of Ag, Be, Ca, Cd, Cr, Co,Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Na, Ni, Sn and Zn in (U, Pu) solution with 4% plutonium have been described. The carbon rod atomizer has been adapted for glove box operation to enable handling of plutonium containing solution samples. Multielement solution standards with graded concentrations of the analytes and fixed concentration of the matrix are used in the standardization process. Nanogram to sub-nanogram quantities of the analytes have been determined with a precision of better than 9% RSD using 5 l of the sample aliquots.

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Bestimmung von Metallspuren in Uran-Plutonium-Kernbrennstoffen mit Hilfe der ETA-AAS

     

Direct and simultaneous determination of copper and manganese in seawater with a multielement graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer

The direct and simultaneous determinations of Cu and Mn in seawater using a multielement graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer (Perkin-Elmer SIMAA6000) are described. Three kinds of chemical modifier (Mg(NO₃)₂, Pd(NO₃)₂ and a mixture of these) were tested. The matrix interferences were removed completely so that a simple calibration curve method could be used to determine Cu and Mn in seawater from the open ocean using Pd or a mixture of Pd and Mg as the chemical modifier. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) for the simultaneous determination of Cu and Mn in seawater from open ocean are 10% or less, and the detection limits were 0.07 μg 1⁻¹ for Cu and 0.10 μg 1⁻¹ for Mn, using Pd as the chemical modifier. The accuracy of the method is confirmed by analysis of four kinds of certified reference saline waters.     

A low-cost flame atomic absorption spectrometry method for determination of trace metals in aqueous samples

A simple and fast method for the extraction into xylene of sub mug l(-1) concentrations of metals using ammonium diethyldithiophosphate (DDTP) as a complexing reagent and their subsequent determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry is described. The method was tested in sea water spiked with Au at a concentration of 3.0 mug l(-1). The extraction was carried out until the aqueous to organic phase ratio achieved a 1000-fold preconcentration of metal. Optimisation of extraction parameters and the effect of Fe interference was investigated. Sea water samples spiked with Au produced an average recovery of 95% and the detection limit (3sigma) in deionized water was 2.9 ng l(-1). High enrichment factors could be obtained due to the small final volume (mul) of organic solvent.     

Extraction as a method for preparation of vegetable samples for the determination of trace metals by atomic absorption spectrometry

An alternative, simple and rapid technique was developed for a quantitative isolation of the group of eight elements: Al, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mg, Pb and Zn from vegetable material samples in an open system with the use of acids: conc. HCl, dil. HNO₃ and hydrofluoric acids. Equivalence of both the extractants, HCl and HNO₃, was found suitable for a quantitative isolation of Ca, Cu, Mg, Zn, Pb and Cd. For lead and cadmium, however, dil. HNO₃ proved to be more suitable because these elements are determined by the graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS) technique. A quantitative dissolution of Al and Fe requires hydrofluoric acid as an additional extractant. The proposed method allows to obviate the organic matrix destruction stage, shorten the analyte dissolution time, reduce cost, and minimize hazards of loss and contamination. Validity and versatility of the method developed was verified by the analysis of standard reference materials.     

The determination of trace metals in lubricating oils by atomic spectrometry

The determination of trace metals in lubricating oils using atomic spectrometric methods is reviewed. The importance of such analyses for technical diagnostics as well as the specific sample characteristics related to the analyte form (metallo-organic and metal particles) is discussed. Problems related to sample pre-treatment for appropriate sample introduction and calibration are addressed as well as the strategies to overcome them. Recent trends aimed at simplifying sample manipulation are presented. The applications and scope of AAS, ICP OES and ICP MS techniques for the determination of trace metals in lubricating oil is individually discussed, as well as some present instrumental trends.     

Slurry sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry: determination of trace metals in mineral coal

A procedure for lead, cadmium and copper determination in coal samples based on slurry sampling using an atomic absorption spectrometer equipped with a transversely heated graphite tube atomizer is proposed. The slurries were prepared by weighing the samples directly into autosampler cups (5-30 mg) and adding a 1.5 ml aliquot of a diluent mixture of 5% v/v HNO(3), 0.05% Triton X-100 and 10% ethanol. The slurry was homogenized by manual stirring before measurement. Slurry homogenization using ultrasonic agitation was also investigated for comparison. The effect of particle size and the use of different diluent compositions on the slurry preparation were investigated. The temperature programmes were optimized on the basis of pyrolysis and atomization curves. Absorbance characteristics with and without the addition of a palladium-magnesium modifier were compared. The use of 0.05% m/v Pd and 0.03% m/v Mg was found satisfactory for stabilizing Cd and Pb. The calibration was performed with aqueous standards. In addition, a conventional acid digestion procedure was applied to verify the efficiency of the slurry sampling. Better recoveries of the analytes were obtained when the particle size was reduced to <37 mum. Several certified coal reference materials (BCR Nos. 40, 180, and 181) were analyzed, and good agreement was obtained between the results from the proposed slurry sampling method and the certificate values.     

Graphite furnace atomic absorption analysis of marine samples for trace metals

Trace element determinations by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry which are pertinent to the analysis of marine samples are highlighted. Results for the direct introduction of solids, slurries and dissolved samples of fauna, sediments and saline waters are discussed. Examples drawn from recent literature show that typical samples which benefit most from direct solid sampling are those that do not require the very highest accuracy or precision. No clear consensus amongst users of this technique has emerged regarding the choice between peak height or area recording or the need to standardize by aqueous calibration, the method of additions or use of matrix matched solids. Slurry sampling overcomes several limitations associated with direct solid sampling and whereas generalizations serve little purpose in assessing the applicability of the direct solid sampling approach, slurry sampling holds great promise for widespread use. Examples of external and in situ concentration techniques necessary to augment the relative detection power of the system for the analysis of saline waters are also given. These include an examination of “classical” procedures utilizing chelation-solvent extraction, immobilized ligands and precipitation methods as well as techniques which rely on sequestration in the furnace of volatile analyte species generated in external cells.     

Development of on-line single-drop micro-extraction sequential injection system for electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric determination of trace metals

A novel automatic sequential injection (SI) single-drop micro-extraction (SDME) system is proposed as versatile approach for on-line metal preconcentration and/or separation. Coupled to electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) the potentials of this SI scheme are demonstrated for trace cadmium determination in water samples. A non-charged complex of cadmium with ammonium diethyldithiophosphate (DDPA) was produced and extracted on-line into a 60 μL micro-drop of di-isobutyl ketone (DIBK). The extraction procedure was performed into a newly designed flow-through extraction cell coupled on a sequential injection manifold. As the complex Cd(II)-DDPA flowed continuously around the micro-droplet, the analyte was extracting into the solvent micro-drop. All the critical parameters were optimized and offered good performance characteristics and high preconcentration ratios. For 600 s micro-extraction time, the enhancement factor was 10 and the sampling frequency was 6 h⁻¹. The detection limit was 0.01 μg L⁻¹ and the precision (RSD at 0.1 μg L⁻¹ of cadmium) was 3.9%. The proposed method was evaluated by analyzing certified reference material.     

Preconcentration and determination of trace metals by flow injection micelle-mediated extraction using flame atomic absorption spectrometry

Micelle-mediated extraction/preconcentration is incorporated on-line into a flow injection system used to determine low levels of Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) present in various samples. The analyte is complexed with HBDAP (N,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-5-bromo-benzyl)1,2-diaminopropane). Under optimal conditions, a solution of 30% (m/v) NaCl and a sample solution containing 2.5 mL of 1% (m/v) sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), 0.5 mL of 1.8 × 10⁻³ M HBDAP and 2.5 mL of pH 8.5 borate buffer solution in 25 mL were pumped through the cotton filled mini-column; onto which the surfactant-rich phase containing the complex is collected. A solution of 0.5 M HNO₃ in 50% acetone is used as the eluent. The limits of detection are (ng mL⁻¹) Cd = 0.39, Cu = 3.2, Co = 7.5, Mn = 3.0, Ni = 3.4, Pb = 17.9 and Zn = 0.89 if the sample is allowed to flow for 30 s, but improved for extended preconcentration periods. Analysis of liquid and solid reference materials showed good agreement with the certified values. Complex formation constants between HBDAP and these metal ions were also determined potentiometrically.     

The determination of trace quantities of molybdenum by atomic absorption spectroscopy

A procedure is described for the determination of trace quantities of molyb denum by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Molybdenum is cornplexed with ammoni um pyrollidine dithiocarbamate or 8-hydroxyquinoline and extracted into n-amyl methyl ketone. Molybdenum is then determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Interferences have been eliminated and detection limits of 0.002 p.p.m, for water samples, 0.1 p.p.m. for samples of dried plant material, and 1 p.p.m. for silicate rock samples have been obtained.     

Determination of trace metals in sodium by electro-thermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry is used to analyze sodium metal after conversion to sodium nitrate. Chromium, Ni, Co, Cd and Pb have detection limits in sodium of 0.18, 0.48, 0.11, 0.02 and 0.48 μg g^-1; these are similar to the concentrations in nuclear-grade sodium, except for lead, which is below the detection limit. The behaviour of sodium nitrate, chloride and sulphate as matrices is compared.     

Direct and simultaneous determination of arsenic, manganese, cobalt and nickel in urine with a multielement graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer

A simple method was developed for the direct and simultaneous determination of arsenic (As), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), and nickel (Ni) in urine by a multi-element graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer (Perkin-Elmer SIMAA 6000) equipped with the transversely heated graphite atomizer and longitudinal Zeeman-effect background correction. Pd was used as the chemical modifier along with either the internal furnace gas or a internal furnace gas containing hydrogen and a double stage pyrolysis process. A standard reference material (SRM) of Seronorm™ Trace Elements in urine was used to confirm the accuracy of the method. The optimum conditions for the analysis of urine samples are pyrolysis at 1350 °C (using 5% H₂ v/v in Ar as the inter furnace gas during the first pyrolysis stage and pure Ar during the second pyrolysis stage) and atomization at 2100 °C. The use of Ar and matrix-free standards resulted in concentrations for all the analytes within 85% (As) to 110% (Ni) of the certified values. The recovery for As was improved when mixture of 5% H₂ and 95% Ar (v/v) internal furnace gas was applied during the first step of a two-stage pyrolysis at 1350 °C, and the found values of the analytes were within 91-110% of the certified value. The recoveries for real urine samples were in the range 88-95% for these four elements. The detection limits were 0.78 μg l⁻¹ for As, 0.054 μg l⁻¹ for Mn, 0.22 μg l⁻¹ for Co, and 0.35 μg l⁻¹ for Ni. The upper limits of the linear calibration curve are 60 μg l⁻¹ (As); 12 μg l⁻¹ (Mn); 12 μg l⁻¹ (Co) and 25 μg l⁻¹ (Ni), respectively. The relative standard deviations (R.S.D.s) for the analysis of SRM were 2% or less. The R.S.D.s of a real urine sample are 1.6% (As), 6.3% (Mn), 7.0% (Ni) and 8.0% (Co), respectively.