Trace determination of mercury in biological materials by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry

A new rapid wet-ashing procedure for biological material is described. The samples are boiled for 5–10 min in a mixture of nitric and hydrobromic acid under reflux. Mercury is then determined by the flameless cold-vapour, atomic absorption technique and complete release is shown to occur even when the fat present is not fully decomposed. The results are discussed with regard to the normal bromine and iodine content of marine samples. The enhancement obtained with bromine can easily be compensated by digesting the standards. Iodine, however, reduces the peak heights and the content of this element must be judged separately for samples other than fish, which can always be safely analysed without interference.     

Determination of silica in geological materials by atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple rapid method for the routine determination of silica by atomic absorption spectrometry (a.a.s.) in a wide range of geological materials is described. Samples are decomposed by heating with hydrofluoric acid in closed containers and diluted gravimetrically. Large concentrations of free hydrofluoric acid are tolerated and the resulting solutions show excellent stability. No chemical interference was identified in the atomic absorption measurements. The technique was extended to the micro-determination of silica in samples of milligram size as well as trace-level silicon in waters. The average standard deviation is ?1% by the recommended method, 2.6% by the micro-method and 2–6% at trace level (20–0.5 ppm Si), respectively. The procedure described complements the a.a.s. scheme in current use for some 25 major and trace elements.     

Determination of mercury in carbon black by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry

Recently, a new color additive, D&C Black No. 2, a high-purity furnace black in the general category of carbon blacks, was listed as a color subject to batch certification by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A simple procedure was developed to determine mercury (Hg) in D&C Black No. 2, which is limited by specification to not more than 1 ppm Hg. The method uses partial acid digestion followed by cold vapor atomic absorption and was developed by modifying a method used for other color additives. The carbon black samples are treated with a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids and heated by microwave in sealed Teflon vessels. The resulting solutions, which are stable to Hg loss for at least 1 week, are diluted and analyzed for Hg using cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. Validation was performed by spiking carbon black samples with inorganic Hg (HgNO3) at levels from 0.1 to 1.5 microg/g, and by analyzing 2 standard reference materials. At the specification level of 1 ppm Hg (1 microg Hg/g), the 95% confidence interval was +/-0.01 ppm Hg (0.01 microg Hg/g). The method developed in this study gave good results for very difficult-to-analyze materials, such as coal standard reference materials and carbon black. By eliminating volatility and adsorption factors through the formation of HgCl4(-2) complexes, one can avoid using extremely hazardous acids such as HF and HClO4.     

Determination of gallium in biological materials by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

In this determination of gallium, the condition of the graphite tubes influences the peak height. Common acids and salts seriously affect the results, but in the presence of EDTA, interferences of nitric and hydrochloric acids are suppressed completely, and interferences of phosphoric acid and some salts are suppressed partly. To compensate for the effects, a standard addition procedure is proposed, and is applied to healthy and tumor.bearing mice. A linear calibration is obtained for 0.12–12 ng Ga in 50-μl aliquots. The method is applied to tissues and body fluids with good recovery and precision.     

Determination of mercury in sludge and materials used for HG-eliminations from industrial waste waters by zeeman atomic absorption spectrometry after matrix modification with potassium bromide and bromine

Summary Mercury was determined by Zeeman Atomic Absorption Spectrometry after matrix modification of urine and waste water by addition of 0.1M HNO₃, 0.05M KBr, and 5l Br₂/ml, and after its extraction from sludge, iron sludge and ion exchanger by a mixture containing the same additives. The same samples were also analysed by the cold vapour method after wet oxidation of the samples in closed teflon bombs. The ratio of the corresponding concentrations was 1.21±0.39 (SD) and the concentration range covered 0.1–50000 mg Hg/kg. The analytical powers of both procedures are compared.

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Bestimmung von Quecksilber in Schlamm und in für die Reinigung industrieller Abwässer verwendeten Materialien mit der Zeeman-Atomab-sorptions-Spektrometrie nach Matrixmodifizierung durch Kaliumbromid und Brom

Zusammenfassung Quecksilber wurde mit der Zeeman-Atomabsorptions-Spektroskopie in Urin und Abwässern nach einer Matrixmodifizierung durch Zugabe von 0,1M HNO₃, 0,05M KBr und 5 l Br₂/ml sowie nach seiner Extraktion aus Schlamm, Eisenschlamm und Ionenaustauschern mit einer Mischung der gleichen Zusatzstoffe bestimmt. Die gleichen Proben wurden auch nach der Kalt-Dampf-Methode nach dem Naßaufschluß in geschlossenen Teflonbomben analysiert. Das Verhältnis der betreffenden Konzentrationen betrug 1,21±0,39 (Standardabweichung), wobei der Konzentrationsbereich 0,1–50000 mg Hg/kg umfaßte. Die analytischen Leistungsfähigkeiten der beiden Verfahren wurden verglichen.

     

Determination of mercury in sewage sludges by slurry sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

An electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric procedure was developed for the determination of mercury in sewage sludge, in which the samples were suspended in a solution containing hydrofluoric and nitric acids. Silver nitrate (4%, m/v) and potassium permanganate (3%, m/v) were incorporated as matrix modifiers, and aliquots were directly introduced into the graphite furnace. A fast-heating program with no conventional pyrolysis step was used. The detection limit for mercury in a 50 mg/mL suspension was 0.1 microg/g. Calibration was performed by using aqueous standards. An analysis of certified reference materials confirmed the reliability of the procedure.     

The determination of mercury in soils and related materials by colc-vapour atomic absorption spectrometry

A method for the determination of mercury in soils and related materials, by the cold-vapour, reduction-aeration absorption technique, is described. The mercury in the reduced sample solution is partitioned, by agitation, between the liquid phase and a fixed volume of air which is then blown through an absorption cell for measurement. Three preparative methods were developed, two of which use acid digestion and wet oxidation and the other direct oxidation in an oxygenflask combustion technique. Comparative analysis of natural samples by the three methods was used to validate the techniques developed, since no authenticated reference samples were available. For 1-g samples, the analytical range was 0.01–0.5 p.p.m.     

Determination of lead in biological materials by constant-temperature electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A comparison is made between a platform-equipped Perkin-Elmer HGA-500 and a recently designed two-step constant-temperature graphite furnace with respect to susceptibility to interference effects as well as attainable detection limits. It is shown that larger quantities of biological samples can be used with the constant-temperature furnace without suppressing the analyte signal, resulting in lower detection limits. Materials studied include NBS Olyster Tissue and Bovine Liver, and human lung tissue and human blood.     

Determination of total tin in geological materials by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A graphite-furnace atomic-absorption spectrometric method is described for the determination of total tin in geological materials. Samples are decomposed by fusion with lithium metaborate and the melt is dissolved in diluted (1 + 9) nitric acid. Spectral and non-spectral interferences are minimized by a combination of platform volatilization, “normal” heating rate, addition of ammonia as chemical modifier, use of integrated absorbance values and Zeeman background correction. Results are reported for six reference materials showing good accuracy and a precision of 12% at the 3 μg g^?1 level. The detection limit for tin in the original materials in 0.7 μg g^?1.     

王水消解-冷原子吸收光谱法测定土壤中汞

为了寻求一种更加适宜测定土壤中汞含量的测试方法,将检出限低、精密度高的冷原子吸收光谱法与便捷、高效的王水水浴消解土壤处理方式相结合,建立了王水消解-冷原子吸收光谱法测定土壤中汞。通过测定方法的线性相关性、方法检出限、准确度、精密度、加标回收率,并与原子荧光光谱法进行对比实验来评价该方法的有效性。王水消解-冷原子吸收光谱法在汞质量浓度0.0~1.0μg/L范围内线性良好,相关系数可以达到0.9999,方法检出限为0.00075 mg/kg,土壤标准样品测试的相对标准偏差为4.0%~10.7%,实际样品加标回收率分别为93%~104%。采用原子荧光光谱法进行对比测试,原子荧光光谱法的方法检出限为0.0025 mg/kg,相对标准偏差为4.8%~13.5%,加标回收率为104%~107%。结果表明,对于王水水浴消解土壤的方法不仅适用于原子荧光光谱法测定汞含量,同样可以应用于冷原子吸收光谱法中。所建立的王水消解-冷原子吸收光谱法具有更低的检出限,更优的准确度和精密度,有利于提高土壤样品测试的工作效率,值得推广。     

王水消解-冷原子吸收光谱法测定土壤中汞

为了寻求一种更加适宜测定土壤中汞含量的测试方法,将检出限低、精密度高的冷原子吸收光谱法与便捷、高效的王水水浴消解土壤处理方式相结合,建立了王水消解-冷原子吸收光谱法测定土壤中汞。通过测定方法的线性相关性、方法检出限、准确度、精密度、加标回收率,并与原子荧光光谱法进行对比实验来评价该方法的有效性。王水消解-冷原子吸收光谱法在汞质量浓度0.0～1.0μg/L范围内线性良好,相关系数可以达到0.999 9,方法检出限为0.000 75mg/kg,土壤标准样品测试的相对标准偏差为4.0%～10.7%,实际样品加标回收率分别为93%～104%。采用原子荧光光谱法进行对比测试,原子荧光光谱法的方法检出限为0.002 5 mg/kg,相对标准偏差为4.8%～13.5%,加标回收率为104%～107%。结果表明,对于王水水浴消解土壤的方法不仅适用于原子荧光光谱法测定汞含量,同样可以应用于冷原子吸收光谱法中。所建立的王水消解-冷原子吸收光谱法具有更低的检出限,更优的准确度和精密度,有利于提高土壤样品测试的工作效率,值得推广。     

Determination of mercury in environmental and biological samples by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry

A continuously operating monitoring method for total mercury at sub-ng/ml level in environmental and biological samples by cold vapour atomic-absorption spectrometry with NaBH₄ as a reductant was developed. The mercury vapour generator and absorption cell closed-end by quartz were used in this study. The detection limit (S/N = 3) and relative standard deviation of 12 determinations of 10 ng/ml Hg(II) were 0.11 ng/ml and 1.1%, respectively. The range of standard calibration curve was 0–50 ng/ml Hg, The proposed method was successfully applied to the completely continuous monitoring of total mercury in waste water, sediments and pork liver.     

Determination of mercury in zinc ore concentrate reference materials using flow injection and cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometry

A flow-injection, cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometric method was developed for the determination of trace amounts of mercury in a proposed zinc ore concentrate Standard Reference Material (SRM 113b). The samples were digested with nitric and hydrochloric acids in closed Teflon digestion vessels. The experimental details for sample preparation and the flow injection method are discussed. The effect of matrix and various acid concentrations on the extraction and subsequent analysis of mercury were also studied. The method has a detection limit of 0.08 mug Hg/g in the sample. A certified reference material (CZN-1) was analyzed and the results obtained agreed well with the certified value.     

Determination of trace amounts of antimony in geological materials by atomic absorption spectrometry

For the determination of traces of antimony in rocks and soils, dried samples are heated with ammonium iodide to volatilize antimony triiodide, which is then taken up with 10% hydrochloric acid and extracted into TOPO-MIBK. Analysis is completed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The range is 1.0–40 p.p.m. Sb, the relative standard deviation being about 10–4%. Up to 20% iron and 2000 p.p.m. Cu, Pb, Zn. Sn, As or Hg do not interfere.     

Determination of thallium in geological materials by extraction and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Thallium is determined in geological reference materials by acid digestion, extraction of thallium(III) from 0.5 M HBr solution into methyl isobutyl ketone and direct electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The method yields results that agree with published values, has a detection limit of 0.04 μg Tl g^-1, and is relatively free of interferences.     

Determination of total mercury in human hair and animal fur by combustion atomic absorption spectrometry

A commercially available mercury (Hg) analyzer based on sample combustion, gold amalgamation, and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) was evaluated for the direct determination of Hg in composites of human hair and individual samples of horse fur. Results for human hair reference material (NIES No. 13) were within the certified range. Analyses of “blind” samples from an international interlaboratory (n>16) comparison study produced results within 1S.D. of the consensus means. Precision (%R.S.D.) was found to be <5% and total analyses time per sample was <10 min. This study demonstrated that analyzers based on combustion-AAS are suitable for wide-scale monitoring of Hg in human hair and animal fur.     

Determination of mercury in sewage sludge by direct slurry sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Ultrasonic slurry sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) method was elaborated to the determination of Hg in sewage sludge samples with the use of KMnO₄+Pd modifier. The minimum sample amount required for slurry preparation with respect to sample homogeneity was evaluated by weighting masses between 3 and 30 mg directly into the autosampler cups. Validation of the proposed method was performed with the use of Certified Reference Materials of sewage sludge, CRM 007-040 and CRM 144R. Two sewage sludge samples from Poznañ (Poland) city were analysed using the present direct method and a method with sample digestion, resulting in no difference within statistical error.     

Determination of total mercury in workroom air by atomic absorption or x-ray fluorescence spectrometry after collection on carbon-loaded paper

The routine determination of total mercury in workroom air of an alkali chloride electrolysis plant equipped with mercury cells, is described. The procedure is based on atomic absorption spectrometry (a.a.s.) (cold vapour technique) or x-ray fluorescence spectrometry (x.r.f.s.) after collection on carbon-loaded paper fixed in a disposable Millipore filter holder. The lowest quantity of mercury that can be determined is 0.2 μg by a.a.s. and 2 μg by x.r.f.s. Samples taken in the plant gave a relative standard deviation of about 2 % for a.a.s. and 3 % for x.r.f.s.     

Determination of lead in geological and biological materials by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Summary Serious systematic errors inherent in the determination of lead in geological and biological samples by flameless atomic-absorption spectrometry are demonstrated. The reduced absorption of lead is due to partial interaction with alkaline, alkaline-earth and iron chlorides during the atomization stage. Incomplete dissociation of the volatile monochloride of lead in the gaseous phase reduces the absorption signal. An addition of 20% hydrogen to nitrogen (purge gas) diminishes signal suppression by removing the chlorine in form of volatile HCl. The detection limit is about 0.6 ppm in rocks and about 0.3 ppm in plant materials. Depending on the content in the samples the relative standard deviation is between 1 and 12%. The accuracy of the method was tested on 39 international standard reference samples.

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Bestimmung von Blei in geologischen und biologischen Materialien durch AAS mit der Graphitrohrküvette

Zusammenfassung Schwerwiegende systematische Fehler bei der Bestimmung von Blei in geologischen und biologischen Materialien mit der Graphitrohrküvette werden aufgezeigt. Die Reaktion von Blei mit Alkali-, Erdalkali- und Eisenchloriden während der Atomisierungsphase führt zur Bildung von Bleimonochlorid, das nur unvollständig dissoziiert und eine Signalunterdrückung zur Folge hat. Ein Zusatz von 20% Wasserstoff zu Stickstoff als Spülgas vermindert die Signalunterdrückung, indem überschüssiges Chlor als Chlorwasserstoff entfernt wird. Die Nachweisgrenze liegt bei ca. 0,6 ppm für Gesteine und bei ca. 0,3 ppm für Pflanzenmaterialien. Je nach der Konzentration beträgt die relative Standardabweichung 1–12%. Die Genauigkeit der Methode wurde an 39 internationalen Standardreferenzproben überprüft.