Simultaneous square wave anodic stripping voltammetric determination of Cr, Pb, Sn, Sb, Cu, Zn in presence of reciprocal interference: application to meal matrices

An analytical procedure for simultaneously determining chromium(VI), lead(II), tin(II), antimony(III), copper(II) and zinc(II) by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) in matrices involved in foods and food chain as wholemeal, wheat and maize meal is described.The digestion of each matrix was carried out using a concentrated HCl–HNO₃–H₂SO₄ acidic attack mixture. Dibasic ammonium citrate buffer solution pH 6.5 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 AgAgClKCl_sat electrode as auxiliary and reference electrodes, respectively. The analytical procedure was verified by the analysis of the standard reference materials Wholemeal BCR-CRM 189, Wheat Flour NIST-SRM 1567a and Rice Flour NIST-SRM 1568a.For all the elements in the certified matrix, the precision as repeatability, expressed as relative standard deviation (s_r) was of the order of 3–5%. The accuracy, expressed as relative error (e) was generally of the order of 3–6%, while the detection limits were lower than 0.123 μg/g.In the presence of reciprocal interference, the standard addition method considerably improved the resolution of the voltammetric technique.Once set up on the standard reference materials, the analytical procedure was transferred and applied to commercial meals sampled on market for sale. A critical comparison with spectroscopic measurements is also discussed.     

Analytical procedures for the simultaneous voltammetric determination of heavy metals in meals

An analytical procedure regarding the determination of copper(II), lead(II), cadmium(II), zinc(II) and antimony(III) in matrices involved in foods and food chain as wholemeal, wheat and maize meal is proposed. The digestion of each matrix was carried out using concentrated HCl suprapure at 130 °C for 3 h. Differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) was employed for simultaneously determining all the elements, using a conventional three-electrode cell and 0.5 M HCl as supporting electrolyte. The analytical procedure has been verified on the reference standard materials Wholemeal BCR-CRM 189, Wheat Flour NIST-SRM 1567a and Rice Flour NIST-SRM 1568a. For all the elements in the certified matrix, the precision as repeatability, expressed as relative standard deviation (s_r), and the accuracy, expressed as relative error (e), were of the order of 3 to 6%. The limits of detection were in the range 0.009–0.096 μg/g.     

Heavy Metals in Matrices of Food Interest: Sequential Voltammetric Determination at Trace and Ultratrace Level of Copper,Lead, Cadmium,Zinc, Arsenic,Selenium, Manganese and Iron in Meals

The voltammetric methods are very suitable and versatile techniques for the simultaneous metal determination in complex matrices. The present work, regarding the sequential determination of Cu(II), Pb(II), Cd(II), Zn(II) by square‐wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV), As(III), Se(IV) by square‐wave cathodic stripping voltammetry (SWCSV) and Mn(II), Fe(III) by square‐wave voltammetry (SWV) in matrices involved in foods and food chain as wholemeal, wheat and maize meal, are an interesting example of the possibility to sequentially determine each single element in real samples. Besides the set up of the analytical method, particular attention is aimed either at the problem of possible signal interference or to show that, using the peak area A_p as instrumental datum, it is possible to achieve lower limits of detection. The analytical procedure was verified by the analysis of the standard reference materials: Wholemeal BCR‐CRM 189, Wheat Flour NIST‐SRM 1567a and Rice Flour NIST‐SRM 1568a. Precision, as repeatability, and accuracy, expressed as relative standard deviation and relative error, respectively, were lower than 6% in all cases. In the presence of reciprocal interference, the standard addition method considerably improved the resolution of the voltammetric technique. Once set up on the standard reference materials, the analytical procedure was transferred and applied to commercial meals sampled on market for sale. A critical comparison with spectroscopic measurements is also discussed.     

Overlapping voltammetric peaks—an analytical procedure for simultaneous determination of trace metals. Application to food and environmental matrices

Voltammetric methods are very suitable, versatile and rapid techniques for simultaneous determination of metals in complex matrices. The present work, determination of Cu(II), Sn(II), Sb(III), Tl(I), and Pb(II) by square-wave anodic-stripping voltammetry and Cr(VI) by square-wave adsorptive-stripping voltammetry, is an interesting example of the possibility of simultaneous determination of each single element in food and environmental samples, even in the presence of reciprocal interference. Dibasic ammonium citrate, pH 6.3 or 8.2, was employed as supporting electrolyte. The voltammetric measurements were carried out using a stationary hanging mercury drop electrode as working electrode and a platinum electrode and an Ag|AgCl|KCl_sat electrode as auxiliary and reference electrodes, respectively. The analytical procedure was verified by analysis of standard reference materials—wholemeal BCR-CRM 189, wheat flour NIST-SRM 1567a, rice flour NIST-SRM 1568a, estuarine sediment BCR-CRM 277, river sediment BCR-CRM 320, and Montana soil with moderately elevated traces NIST-SRM 2711. Precision and accuracy, expressed as relative standard deviation and relative error, respectively, were generally below 6% whereas limits of detection for each element were below 0.069 g g^–1. In the presence of reciprocal interference the standard addition method considerably improved the resolution of the voltammetric technique, even for very high element concentration ratios. After being set up on the standard reference materials the analytical procedure was transferred and applied to commercial samples of meal and soil samples taken from sites devoted to agricultural practice. A critical comparison with graphite furnace atomic-absorption spectroscopy is also discussed. Work partially presented at Euroanalysis XIII, Salamanca, Spain, 5–10 September 2004     

Determination of platinum-group metals and lead in vegetable environmental bio-monitors by voltammetric and spectroscopic techniques: critical comparison

This paper reports voltammetric sequential determination of Pt(II), Pd(II), and Rh(III), by square-wave adsorption stripping voltammetry (SWAdSV), and Pb(II), by square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV), in vegetable environmental matrices. Analytical procedures were verified by the analysis of the standard reference materials: Olive Leaves BCR-CRM 062 and Tomato Leaves NIST-SRM 1573a. Precision and accuracy, expressed as relative standard deviation and relative error, respectively, were always less than 6% and the limits of detection (LOD) for each element were below 0.096 g g^–1. Once set up on the standard reference materials, the analytical procedure was transferred and applied to laurel leaves sampled in proximity to a superhighway and in the Po river mouth area. A critical comparison with spectroscopic measurements is discussed.     

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.     

Development of analytical procedures for determination of total chromium by quadrupole ICP–MS and high-resolution ICP–MS,and hexavalent chromium by HPLC–ICP–MS,in different materials used in the automotive industry

A European directive was recently adopted limiting the use of hazardous substances such as Pb, Hg, Cd, and Cr(VI) in vehicle manufacturing. From July 2003 a maximum of 2 g Cr(VI) will be authorised per vehicle in corrosion-preventing coatings of key components. As no standardised procedures are available to check if produced vehicles are in agreement with this directive, the objective of this work was to develop analytical procedures for total chromium and Cr(VI) determination in these materials. The first step of this study was to optimise digestion procedures for total chromium determination in plastic and metallic materials by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS). High resolution (HR) ICP–MS was used to examine the influence of polyatomic interferences on the detection of the ⁵²Cr⁺ and ⁵³Cr⁺ isotopes. If there was strong interference with m/z 52 for plastic materials, it was possible to use quadrupole ICP–MS for m/z 53 if digestions were performed with HNO₃+H₂O₂. This mixture was also necessary for digestion of chromium from metallic materials. Extraction procedures in alkaline medium (NH₄⁺/NH₃ buffer solution at pH 8.9) assisted by sonication were developed for determining Cr(VI) in four different corrosion-preventing coatings by HPLC–ICP–MS. After optimisation and validation with the only solid reference material certified for its Cr(VI) content (BCR 545; welding dusts), the efficiency of this extraction procedure for screw coatings was compared with that described in the EN ISO 3613 standard generally used in routine laboratories. For coatings comprising zinc and aluminium passivated in depth with chromium oxides the extraction procedure developed herein enabled determination of higher Cr(VI) concentrations. This was also observed for the screw covered with a chromium passivant layer on zinc–nickel. For coating comprising a chromium passivant layer on alkaline zinc the standardized extraction procedure was more efficient. In the case of painted metallic plate, because of a reactive matrix towards Cr(VI), its extraction without degradation was difficult to perform.     

Synthesis,spectral characterization,and antimicrobial studies of metal complexes of the Schiff base derived from [4-amino-N-guanylbenzene sulfonamide] and salicylaldehyde

Sulfaguanidinesalicylaldimine is a good bacteriostatic and a good complexing agent. Schiff-base complexes of Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), VO(IV), and UO₂(VI) have been synthesized. The structural features of the complexes have been confirmed by microanalytical data, FAB mass, IR, UV-Vis, ¹H-NMR, and EPR spectra. Molar conductance indicates the presence of nonelectrolytes. Spectroscopic and other analytical studies reveal the square-planar geometry for copper, square-pyramidal geometry for oxovanadium, seven-coordinate UO₂(VI) complex, and octahedral geometry for other complexes. The EPR spectrum of the copper complex in the powdered form at 77 K was recorded. The redox behavior of the copper and oxovanadium complexes was studied using cyclic voltammetry. Antimicrobial activities of the compounds have been studied against microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida by well-diffusion technique in DMSO. Some of the complexes have higher activity than the free ligand and the standard.     

Sequential Voltammetric Determination of Ultratrace Osmium,Ruthenium and Iridium. Application to Superficial Water

The present work, regarding the determination of ultratrace Os(VIII), Ru(III) and Ir(III) in superficial waters is an interesting example of the possibility to simultaneously, or better sequentially determine each single element in real samples by voltammetry. The method is based on the catalytic current of the Os(VIII)‐ and Ru(III)‐bromate systems by square wave voltammetry and on the Ir(III) determination by square wave catalytic adsorptive stripping voltammetry. 0.5 mol L^?1 acetate buffer pH 4.9+7.7×10^?2 mol L^?1 NaBrO₃ and 0.5 mol L^?1 acetate buffer pH 4.9+7.7×10^?2 mol L^?1 NaBrO₃+2.3×10^?5 mol L^?1 cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) +0.2 mol L^?1 KCl were employed as the supporting electrolytes. The analytical procedure was verified by the analysis of the standard reference materials: Sea Water BCR‐CRM 403 and Fresh Water NIST‐SRM 1643d. For all the elements, the accuracy, expressed as relative error e (%), was satisfactory, being lower than 6 %, while precision as repeatability, expressed as relative standard deviation, s_r (%), was generally lower than 5 %. Once set up on the standard reference materials, the analytical procedure was transferred and applied to superficial water sampled in proximity to superhighway and in the Po river mouth area.     

Sequential Voltammetric Determination of Uranium,Cadmium and Lead by Using the ex situ Bismuth Film Electrode: Application to Phosphate Fertilizers

A sequential voltammetric procedure for the determination of uranium, cadmium and lead was investigated at an ex situ bismuth film electrode (BiFE). First, the adsorptive stripping voltammetry was applied to assay the U(VI)‐cupferron complex in the differential pulse mode (detection limit of 1.0 µg L^?1, 200 s accumulation time). Through the manipulation of the same aliquot of the sample, efforts were made to quantify cadmium and lead by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry. Detection limits of 2.03 µg L^?1 for Cd (II) and 2.43 µg L^?1 for Pb (II) were calculated (100 s accumulation time). The methodology was successfully applied to phosphate fertilizer samples after open vessel wet decomposition (HNO₃/H₂O₂). The following value ranges were evaluated: U (VI) 37.2–150 mg kg^?1, Pb (II) 78.3–204 mg kg^?1 and Cd (II) 44.1–71.6 mg kg^?1. Validation was performed by using the standard reference materials SRM‐695 – phosphate fertilizer – and SRM‐1643e – water.     

Separation of organoselenium compounds and their electrochemical detection

A simplified procedure based on ion-exchange separation of selenourea (Se-U) and selenocystamine (Se-CM), which have very close half-wave potential when they are simultaneously analyzed by voltammetric techniques, has been developed and optimized. Thus, selenocystamine remains in the cation exchanger Purolite C 100 H, whereas selenourea is found in the effluent and is determined by square wave cathodic stripping voltammetry using Na₂CO₃ as electrolyte. Selenocystamine is then eluted from the cation exchanger using 4 M HCl and analyzed by square wave cathodic stripping voltammetry in the HCl solution. For each voltammetric determination the corresponding parameters were investigated and optimized; the obtained detection limits were 0.3 ng Se mL^–1 for Se-CM and 2 ng Se mL^–1 for Se-U. A flow sheet for the separation of inorganic (Se(IV) and Se(VI)) and organoselenium compounds (Se-U, Se-CM, (CH₃)₂Se₂, and (CH₃)₂Se) developed for their electrochemical detection is presented and it was successfully applied to a certified reference material, an environmental soil sample, and a urine sample.     

Coulometric Determination of Chromium(VI) and Copper(II) Present Simultaneously

It was shown that chromium(VI) can be determined by coulometry at a Pt electrode in HNO₃and H₂SO₄solutions. A procedure for the determination of 1–4 mg of chromium in 0.5–1 M HNO₃solutions by controlled-potential coulometry with RSD = 0.2% was developed. It was demonstrated that the degree of the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) reached 99% (RSD = 0.5%) in the determination of chromium by coulometry at a slow potential sweep (v= 1–2 mV/s) in HNO₃solutions. A procedure was proposed for the determination of Cr(VI) and Cu(II) simultaneously present in 0.25–0.5 M H₂SO₄solutions by controlled-potential coulometry with RSD = 0.3%.     

Determination of Selenium(IV) by Stripping Voltammetry at a Mercury-Film Electrode

A procedure was proposed for the determination of selenium(IV) by stripping voltammetry on a mercury-film electrode at an electrolysis potential of +0.4 V versus the saturated silver–silver chloride reference electrode in a 1 M H₂SO₄ solution. The current of the cathodic peak is a linear function of the selenium(IV) concentration in the range from 5 × 10^–3 to 3 × 10^–1 mg/L (6.3 × 10^–8 to 3.8 × 10^–6 M) at a time of electrolysis of 30 s (t _el). The detection limit for selenium is 1 × 10^–4 mg/L (1.3 × 10^–9 M) at t _el = 300 s. It was shown that selenium(IV) can be determined in the presence of 10 mg/L Zn(II), 1 mg/L Cd(II), 0.5 mg/L Pb(II), and 0.2 mg/L Cu(II). A procedure for the determination of selenium in natural, mineral, and potable water was proposed.     

The PtX n Coordination Polyhedra (X = S,Se, Te) in Crystal Structures

Using the Voronoi–Dirichlet partition procedure and the method of intersecting spheres, it is demonstrated that in the crystal structures of chalcogen-containing compounds, Pt(IV) atoms form only PtX₆ octahedra (X = S, Se, Te), whereas in the case of Pt(III) and Pt(II), square coordination by X atoms is typical. The Pt(II) atoms can also form PtX₅ square pyramids (X = S, Se), PtS₆ octahedra, and PtTe₃Pt₃ quasi-octahedra in which a platinum atom is located in the trans-position to each coordinated tellurium atom. It was found that Pt(II) atoms in the PtX₄ squares (X = S, Se), unlike square-coordinated Pt(III) atoms, can form one or two Pt–M bonds (M is a d metal) and 1 to 4 secondary Pt–Q bonds, where Q is an s metal or hydrogen. The main features of platinum stereochemistry depending on the metal valence state and coordination number (CN) and on the nature of the chalcogen atom were quantitatively characterized in terms of the Voronoi–Dirichlet polyhedra.     

Determination of arsenic by cathodic stripping voltammetry at a hanging mercury drop electrode

Arsenic (III), respectively arsenic(V) after the reduction were determined in model solutions and some inorganic and organic materials by fast scan differential pulse cathodic stripping voltammetry and by direct current cathodic stripping voltammetry with a rapid increase of potential. The accumulation on a hanging mercury drop electrode followed by cathodic stripping was carried out in 0.7–0.8M HCl or 1–2M H₂SO₄ solutions containing Cu(II)-ions. Detection limits calculated from regression parameters was determined to be under 1 ng/ml for the samples containing very low arsenic concentrations. The relative standard deviation did not reach 8% for arsenic contents about of 5 ng/ml.     

Dibenzophenoxazon-(5)-derivate als Neutralisationsindicatoren in wasserfreier Essigs?ure

Zusammenfassung Die relativen Basizitätskonstanten von 5H-Dibenzo(a,h)phenoxazon-(5) (I) (K=3,2 · 10^–2), 5H-Dibenzo(a,j)phenoxazon-(5) (II) (K=6,5 · 10^–2), 9-(N-1-Naphthylamino)-5H-dibenzo(a,j)phenoxazon-(5) (III) (K=1,12), 9-(N-2-Naphthylamino)-5H-dibenzo(a, j)phenoxazon-(S) (IV) (K=1,22), 9-Anilino-5H-dibenzo(a,j) phenoxazon-(5) (V) (K=1,28) und 9-(p-Tolylamino)-5H-dibenzo(a,j)phenoxazon-(5) (VI) (K=1,45) wurden für das Puffersystem Acetat-Antipyrinperchlorat in wasserfreier Essigsäure bestimmt. Die Verbindungen II, V und VI wurden zur visuellen Indikation von Titrationen schwacher Basen mit Perchlorsäure in wasserfreier Essigsäure benutzt. Mit Indicator II können Basen mit pK_a(H₂O)-Werten von 2–4 und mit den Indicatoren V und VI stärkere Basen mit pK_a(H₂O)-Werten von 4–7 bestimmt werden.

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Dibenzophenoxazone-(5)-derivatives as neutralisation indicators in non-aqueous acetic acid

The relative basicity constants of 5H-dibenzo(a,h)phenoxazone-(5) (I) (K=3.2×10^–2), 5H-dibenzo(a,j)phenoxazone-(5) (II) (K=6.5×10^–2), 9-(N-1-naphthylamino)-5H-dibenzo(a,j)phenoxazone-(5) (III) (K=1.12), 9-(N-2-naphthylamino)-5H-dibenzo(a,j)phenoxazone-(5) (IV) (K=1.22), 9-anilino-5H-dibenzo(a,j)phenoxazone-(5) (V) (K=1.28) and 9-(p-tolylamino)-5H-dibenzo(a,j)phenoxazone-(5) (VI) (K=1.45) have been determined with respect to the buffer system antipyrine acetate-antipyrine perchlorate in non-aqueous acetic acid. The compounds II, V and VI were employed for visual indication of titrations of weak bases with perchloric acid in non-aqueous acetic acid. Indicator II is convenient for the titration of bases with pK _a (H₂O) values 2–4 and indicators V and VI for bases with pK_a(H₂O) values 4–7.

     

Spectrophotometric determination of molybdenum by extraction of its thiosulphate complex

A simple and rapid spectrophotometric determination of molybdenum is described. The molybdenum thiosulphate complex is extracted into isoamyl alcohol from 1·0–1·5M hydrochloric acid containing 36–40 mg of Na₂S₂O₃·5H₂O per ml. The absorbance at λ_max = 475 nm obeys Beer's law over the range 0–32 μg of Mo per ml of solvent phase. Up to 5 mg/ml of Ti(IV), V(V), Cr(VI), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), U(VI), W(VI), Sb(III), 1 mg/ml of Cu(II), Sn(II), Bi(V) and 10 μg/ml of Pt(IV) and Pd(II) do not interfere. Large amounts of complexing agents interfere. The method has been applied to analysis of synthetic and industrial samples.     

Polarographische Bestimmung von Molybd?n neben anderen Metallen

Zusammenfassung Es wird eine polarographische Bestimmungsmethode für Molybdän in Gegenwart anderer Metalle beschrieben. Molybdän(VI) gibt in Anwesenheit einer 0,25 M Ammoniumtartratlösung eine gut reproduzierbare Reduktionsstufe bei E _1/2= – 1,27 V (GKE). Die Methode wurde mit guten Ergebnissen bei der Molybdänbestimmung in Legierungen (Fehler ±1%) und mineralischem Gestein (Fehler –2%) angewandt. Der störende Einfluß von größeren Mengen Chrom(VI) wird durch ein beschriebenes säulen-chromatographisches Trennverfahren mit Hilfe des Anionenaustauschers Wofatit SBW beseitigt. Ein zehnfacher Überschuß an W(VI), Mn(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) und Tl(I) sowie gleiche Mengen an Fe(II), Fe(III), Cd(II), Co(II), V(V) und Bi(III) stören nicht.

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Summary A polarographic method for the determination of molybdenum in presence of other metals is described. Molybdenum (VI) yields a well-defined cathodic wave in ammonium tartrate medium (0.25 M) at E _1/2= –1.27 V vs. S.C.E. The results obtained have been applied to the determination of molybdenum in ores (error ±1%) and alloys (error –2%). The interfering influence of greater amounts of chromium(VI) is eliminated by ion-exchange with the strongly basic anion-exchanger Wofatit SBW. A ten-fold excess of W(VI), Mn(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Tl(I) as well as equal amounts of Fe(II), Fe(III), Cd(II), Co(II), V(V) and Bi(III) do not interfere.

     

Determination of Se, As, Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn and Mn by anodic and cathodic stripping voltammetry in marine environmental matrices in the presence of reciprocal interference. Proposal of a new analytical procedure

Arsenic(III), selenium(IV), copper(II), lead(II), cadmium(II), zinc(II) and manganese(II) have been determined in environmental matrices by differential pulse cathodic (DPCSV) and anodic (DPASV) stripping voltammetry. The voltammetric measurements were carried out using a conventional three-electrode cell and the ammonia–ammonium chloride buffer (pH 9.4) as the supporting electrolyte. The analytical procedure was verified by the analysis of the standard reference materials: Sea Water BCR-CRM 403; Lagarosiphon Major BCR-CRM 060; and Cod Muscle BCR-CRM 422. The precision, expressed as relative standard deviation, and the accuracy, expressed as relative error, were, in all cases, lower than 5%; the detection limits, for each element in the experimental conditions employed, was approximately 10⁻⁹ M. The standard addition technique significantly improved the resolution of the voltammetric method, even in the case of very high metal concentration ratios.     

Voltammetric method for ultra-trace determination of total mercury and toxic metals in vegetables. Comparison with spectroscopy

A new procedure for the determination of mercury(II), copper(II), lead(II), cadmium(II) and zinc(II) traces in food matrices by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry and standard addition method is proposed. A rapid, inexpensive and multi-analyte analytical method suitable for food safety control is provided. Comestible vegetables were chosen as samples. A two-step, sequential determination was defined, employing two working electrodes: a gold electrode (GE) for mercury(II) and copper(II), and subsequently a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) for copper(II), lead(II), cadmium(II) and zinc(II). No sample pre-treatment was needed. Spinach leaves, tomato leaves and apple leaves were employed as standard reference materials to optimize and defined the analytical procedure. The new method shows good selectivity, sensitivity, detectability and accuracy. A critical comparison with spectroscopic measurements is discussed. Spinach, lettuce and tomato samples sold on the market were analysed as real samples. Lead(II) and cadmium(II) concentration exceeded the relevant legal limits.