The determination of cadmium by atomic absorption in air, water, sea water and urine with a R.F. carbon bed atomizer

The analytical parameters are described for the determination of cadmium by atomic absorption in air, water, sea water, and urine. The technique involves the use of an R.F. generator which heats up a carbon bed to approximately 1400°. This sample is reduced to free metal atoms and is analyzed directly afterwards. The atomization step and the measuring step are separate steps in this procedure. Detection limits of 10^-13 g were reached. Quantitative analyses were carried out on the types of samples indicated.     

Direct determination of lead in polluted sea water by carbon-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple and rapid method is described for the direct determination of lead in polluted sea water by carbon furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Filtered sea water is diluted (1+1) with'deionised distilled water and ammonium nitrate is added to act as a matrix modifier. Aliquots of this mixture are injected into a tantalum-coated graphite tube in a HGA-2200 furnace atomiser operated under gas-stop conditions. With the standard addi- tion method, a detection limit (20) of 1 μg Pb 1^-1 is achieved. Good agreement between the proposed method and results obtained by anodic stripping voltammetry was achieved for samples taken from the Firth of Forth.     

Direct atomic absorption determination of mercury in drinking water and urine using a two-step electrothermal atomizer

A new method was developed for the direct electrothermal atomic absorption determination of mercury in drinking water and urine using double vaporization in a two-step atomizer with a purged vaporizer. In this method, a sample is placed in the vaporizer of a two-step atomizer, dried, and vaporized. The sample vapor is transferred to an unheated atomizer cell with a flow of argon and trapped by the inner surface of cell walls. This procedure can be performed repeatedly to preconcentrate mercury in the atomizer cell. Next, a portion of the sample transferred to the inner surface of the atomizer cell is revaporized and atomized by heating the atomizer cell of the two-step atomizer with a purged vaporizer, and the atomic absorption of mercury is measured. It was found that the degree of mercury transfer and trapping is as high as 100% at sufficiently high temperatures of primary vaporization, regardless of the material of the inner surface of the atomizer cell. The detection limits for mercury were 0.24 or 0.024 µg/L for drinking water at a sample volume of 100 µL using a single sample transfer or the procedure repeated ten times, respectively, and 2.0 µg/L for urine at a sample volume of 20 µL and a single sample transfer. The accuracy of the results was confirmed by the analysis of certified mercury samples and samples with known additives.Translated from Zhurnal Analiticheskoi Khimii, Vol. 60, No. 1, 2005, pp. 45–51.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Vilpan, Grinshtein, Akatov, Gucer.     

The determination of copper in sea water by atomic absorption spectrometry with a graphite atomizer after elution from chitosan

Copper in sea water was determined by passing 1 1 of persulphate-pretreated sea water through a 30×3 mm chitosan column, and eluting with 20 ml of a 1% solution of 1,10-phenanthroline, or with 20 ml of 1 M sulphuric acid. Copper was determined in the eluates by hot graphite atomic absorption spectrometry. The result for Adriatic sea water (Ancona, Italy) was 6.06±0.56 μg Cu 1^?1. Diethylaminoethylcellulose, p-aminobenzylcellulose and Dowex A-1OO were also tested; Dowex A-100 collects only a minor part of the copper present in sea water.     

Determination of chromium in sea water by atomic absorption spectrometry

A method for the determination of chromium in sea water is described which requires minimal sample preparation. The chromium from filtered samples is oxidized with permanganate, extracted with ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate into MIBK, and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry in a fuel-rich air-acetylene flame. Non-filterable solids are extracted with 12 M hydrochloric acid and analyzed. Detection limits for the methods are 0.05 μg 1^-1 in the soluble phase and 0.06 μg 1^-1 in the particulate phase.     

Direct determination of chromium in human urine by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A rapid, accurate and direct method for urinary chromium determinations by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry is described. Few reagents are used and very little sample preparation and manipulation are required, greatly reducing the incidence of sample contamination. The method of standard additions is used to compensate for changes in sensitivity as the furnace tube ages, and for the widely different matrices encountered in urine samples. Furnace parameters must be carefully controlled. The detection limit is in the order of 0.03 ng Cr ml^-1. Agreement with independent methods is evaluated.     

Determination of thallium by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with a metal atomizer

Summary Electrothermal atomization of thallium in a molybdenum microtube atomizer is described. The addition of a low flow rate of hydrogen to argon purge gas resulted in higher peak absorption. In the presence of thiourea the addition of hydrogen did not alter the peak absorption value in pure argon, although the peak temperature shifted to lower region. A high heating rate of the atomizer was recommended for higher peak absorption and improvement of interferences from concomitants. The interferences by concomitants at 50 ng level were modified with thiourea. Modification with thiourea was effective even for interferences from 500 ng of cadmium, zinc or copper, while it was insufficient for 500 ng of calcium, magnesium, chromium, bismuth or lead. Provided the atomization of thallium was carried out at high heating rate and on addition of thiourea as a matrix modifier, the interference from chloride (500 ng) was modified. The absolute sensitivity (0.0044 abs) for thallium was 1.2 pg.

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Thalliumbestitmmung durch AAS mit elektrothermischer Atomisierung in einem metallischen Atomizer

Zusammenfassung Zur AAS-Bestimmung von Thallium wird eine Molybdän-Mikroröhre als Atomizer empfohlen. Zusatz von geringeren Wasserstoffmengen zum Argongas ergab eine höhere Absorption. In Gegenwart von Thioharnstoff erfolgte durch Wasserstoff-Zugabe keine Änderung des Absorptionswertes in reinem Argon, obwohl die Peaktemperatur in einen niederen Bereich verschoben wurde. Für höhere Absorption und zur Verminderung von Störungen durch Begleitelemente wurden höhere Erhitzungsgeschwindigkeiten empfohlen. Störungen durch Begleitelemente im Bereich von 50 ng konnten mit Thioharnstoff verringert werden. Die Zugabe von Thioharnstoff erwies sich ebenfalls als wirksam für 500 ng Cadmium, Zink oder Kupfer, während sie für dieselben Mengen an Calcium, Magnesium, Chrom, Bismut oder Blei ungenügend war. Mit hoher Erhitzungsgeschwindigkeit und Thioharnstoffzusatz konnte eine Störung durch Chlorid im Bereich von 500 ng reduziert werden. Die absolute Empfindlichkeit für Thallium (0,0044 abs) betrug 1,2 pg.

     

Direct atomic absorption spectrometry determination of tin, lead, cadmium and zinc in high-purity graphite with flame furnace atomizer

This work described methodology of Sn, Pb, Cd and Zn impurities determination in high-purity graphite at direct atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) with flame furnace (FF) atomizer. It was evidence that quality of AAS measurements are depended from sample amount, its homogeneity, particle size, as well as calibration procedure and operation parameters of FF atomizer. Prior to analysis the method has been developed and optimized with respect to the furnace heating temperature and flame composition of FF atomizer. Conditions of absorption peak areas (Q_A) formation to each element were studied on the basis of contribution into its value some of individual parameters of analytes, including mass-transporting process from increasing mass of graphite samples into gas phase. Because particle size and homogeneous distribution of analyte in powdered materials has an enormous influence on accuracy and precision of measurement results, graphite as well as appropriate series of powdered reference standards was previously ground and investigated. Graphite samples to be analyzed and standard reference materials with mass from 0.025 to 0.200 g was previously briquetted as pellet and insert on corresponding hole in furnace. The characteristic mass (g₀) of Sn, Pb, Cd and Zn were 0.35, 0.1, 0.008 and 0.025 ng, respectively, and relative standard deviation (S_r) not more than 20%.     

Determination of copper and manganese in sea water by neutron activation analysis and atomic absorption spectrometry

Two methods are compared for the determination of copper and manganese in sea water; the methods have been developed independently at two laboratories. One method is based on the simultaneous isolation of the two elements from sea water by co-crystallization with 8-quinolinol. The crystals are irradiated with neutrons, and after simple purification steps radio-induced ⁶⁴Cu and ⁵⁶Mn are quantified by γ-ray spectrometry. The other method involves chloroform extraction of the diethyldithiocarbamates of copper and manganese and subsequent determination of the two elements by atomic-absorption spectrometry. Both methods provide reliable measurements of copper and manganese concentrations at natural levels in sea water.     

The determination of germanium by atomic absorption spectrometry with a graphite tube atomizer

A carbon filament atom reservoir and a graphite tube atomizer are compared as methods for the determination of germanium by atomic absorption spectrometry. It is shown that the filament technique is not applicable, probably because of loss of the sample as a volatile oxide species which results in inefficient atomization. The design of a small graphite tube atomizer is described; with this, a limit of detection for germanium of 3·10^-10 g was found. For a 20-μl sample, this corresponds to a concentration of 0.015 p.p.m. The interfering effect of 13 anions and cations is studied.     

Screening for vanadium in urine and blood serum by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry and D.C. plasma atomic emission spectrometry

Practical detection limits were 2 and 10 μg l^?1 vanadium for pyrolyte graphite-furnace a.a.s. and d.c.p.-a.e.s., respectively, which allowed screening for urinary vanadium (? 10 μg ?in ? subjects, by direct measurements. Extraction of vanadium with ammonium 1?inecarbodithioate into 4-methylpentan-2-one gave detection limits of 0.5 and ? μg l^?1 vanadium, respectively, for the two techniques.     

Determination of manganese in natural waters by atomic absorption spectrometry with a carbon tube atomizer.

A method is described for the accurate and precise determination of alumina and silica in bauxites with the aid of a ²²⁷Ac-Be isotopic neutron source with a total neutron output of 10⁸ n s^-1. Three ores can be analysed in triplicate within 4 h, including the determination of the natural radioactivity of the ores. Samples are pellets pressed from a mixture of 4.5 g of powdered bauxite and 0.9 g of a wax as pelleting agent. The special flux distributions of the source allow irradiations at very different fast-to-thermal flux ratios without cadmium neutron absorbers. The drying and water re-uptake of bauxite and the natural radioactivity in these ores are discussed. The method was tested with several certified standards. A relative precision of 0.7% for the alumina determination was obtained for triplicate analyses. Vanadium is the only interfering element, the concentration of which should be determined separately or estimated; a correction procedure is given.     

Direct determination of arsenic in blood serum by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A method for the direct determination of arsenic in human blood serum is described. To suppress loss of arsenic by volatilization anal to remove chemical interferences in graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, the formation of involatile compounds with graphite, or with a matrix modifier is tested. With aqueous solutions, two sorts of interactions between graphite and arsenic are shown. But, in presence of serum, these interactions do not occur, Among 18 matrix modifiers tested, nickel gives the best sensitivity when used at high concentrations in the presence of Triton X-100. The proposed method allows direct arsenic determination, based on calibration with aqueous solutions. The method is applied to the serum of 20 normal subjects. The limit of detection is 0.4 μg l^?1 arsenic.     

Automated direct determination of chromium in blood and urine by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple direct procedure for the determination of chromium in whole blood and urine by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry is described. Whole blood samples are diluted with 0.1% Triton-X solution before injection, whereas urine samples are injected directly. Calibration is done by direct comparison against matrix-matched standards. Between-run precision is 5.4% at 154 nmol l^?1 for urine and 3.6% at 142 nmol l^?1 for blood. The detection limits are 3.8 nmol l^?1 for urine and 11.5 nmol l^?1 for blood, each for a 20μl sample. The calibration range extends up to 770 nmol l^?1 for both blood and urine. This allows the determination of chromium in both occupationally exposed and unexposed groups. The graphite-furnace conditions for each matrix are similar. Elimination fo sample pretreatment minimizes the risk of contamination and allows a rapid sample throughput of 50–60 samples per day. The methods described are particularly suited for the screening and surveying of populations occupationally exposed to chromium.     

Electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry of cadmium with a platinum tube atomizer

The determination of cadmium by electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry with a platinum tube atomizer in the presence of air has been investigated. The detection limit of cadmium was 0.09 pg (9 pg/ml for a 10-mul volume). The relative standard deviation of the measurement was 2.9%. For 2.5 pg of cadmium, Cu, Pb, Zn, Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg and Na (10(4)-10(5)-fold) did not interfere with the absorption signal. The method has been applied to the determination of cadmium in some biological materials. The average analytical value found for the standards lay within the limits of the certified values. The remarkable merits of the platinum atomizer are its stability in air and long life-time (able to withstand more than 1000 heating cycles in air).     

Determination of arsenic in sea water by sorbent extraction with hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry

A rapid and sensitive sorbent extraction hydride generation-flow injection analysis atomic absorption spectrometric (HG-FIAS-AAS) method is described for the determination of As(III) and As(V) based upon online preconcentration on a microcolumn packed with activated alumina. In the present procedure these arsenicals are complexed with quinolin-8-ol-5-sulphonic acid from neutral solutions in the flow injection system and adsorbed on the column. The preconcentrated species are eluted with 10% HCl, mixed with 0.5% sodium borohydride and carried to the HG-FIAS cell with a carrier gas flow rate of 75 ml min(-1). The retention efficiency is found to be better than 98% with sensitivity enhancement of 12 and 10 for As(III) and As(V), respectively, for a 20 s preconcentration period. The respective detection limits are 0.05 and 2 ng ml(-1) for As(III) and As(V). The throughput of the samples is found to be 60 h(-1), with a loading time of 20 s. The method has been applied to sea water samples.     

Direct determination of arsenic in sea water by electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry using D2 and Zeeman background correction

Arsenic in sea water was determined directly by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) using palladium nitrate as chemical modifier, at an optimum concentration of 15 mg l^–1. Deuterium and Zeeman effect background correction were compared and gave detection limits of 0.6 and 0.8 g l^–1, respectively. Precisions between 8 and 2%, for both correctors, were obtained with an injection volume of 40 l. The accuracy obtained with different reference materials: CRM-403 (1.461 g kg^–1), NASS-4 (1.26 ±0.09 gl^–1) and IAEA/W-4 (24–31 g l^–1) was studied for large injection volumes for both background correction systems. Interferences by chloride, sodium, potassium, calcium and silicon were removed by Zeeman correction, whereas deuterium correction was much less effective and was insufficiently accurate for sea water samples.     

Determination of trace amounts of chromium by atomic absorption spectrometry with a tantalum filament atomizer

The sample solution containing chromium was vaporized and atomized from a tantalum filament by electrical heating into an argon stream within an absorption chamber. The interference of various metals on the atomic absorption spectrometry of chromium was investigated. Interferences were minimized by using a high filament temperature. The flameless atomizer was used for the determination of chromium in steel at a filament temperature of 2150°; with the steels investigated no matrix effect was observed, and the accuracy and precision were satisfactory.