Investigation of artifacts caused by deuterium background correction in the determination of phosphorus by electrothermal atomization using high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry

The artifacts created in the measurement of phosphorus at the 213.6-nm non-resonance line by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using line source atomic absorption spectrometry (LS AAS) and deuterium lamp background correction (D₂ BC) have been investigated using high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS AAS). The absorbance signals and the analytical curves obtained by LS AAS without and with D₂ BC, and with HR-CS AAS without and with automatic correction for continuous background absorption, and also with least-squares background correction for molecular absorption with rotational fine structure were compared. The molecular absorption due to the suboxide PO that exhibits pronounced fine structure could not be corrected by the D₂ BC system, causing significant overcorrection. Among the investigated chemical modifiers, NaF, La, Pd and Pd + Ca, the Pd modifier resulted in the best agreement of the results obtained with LS AAS and HR-CS AAS. However, a 15% to 100% higher sensitivity, expressed as slope of the analytical curve, was obtained for LS AAS compared to HR-CS AAS, depending on the modifier. Although no final proof could be found, the most likely explanation is that this artifact is caused by a yet unidentified phosphorus species that causes a spectrally continuous absorption, which is corrected without problems by HR-CS AAS, but which is not recognized and corrected by the D₂ BC system of LS AAS.     

Silver as a test element for Zeeman furnace AAS

Silver was studied as a candidate element to test the stability of graphite furnace performance. Several problems were found, but when these were controlled the instrumental performance was quite stable and reproducible. When the Ag line at 328.1 nm was used with a matrix containing phosphate and a metal, a small spectral interference was produced when Zeeman background correction was used. The interference appeared to result from Zeeman splitting of PO bands that overlapped the 328.1-nm line from the source. Since phosphate had been recommended as a matrix modifier for Ag, this could be a serious problem. Both Pd and Cu are shown to be preferable to phosphate as a matrix modifier for Ag, especially with Zeeman corrected instruments.     

Investigation of the feasibility to use Zeeman-effect background correction for the graphite furnace determination of phosphorus using high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry as a diagnostic tool

The determination of phosphorus by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry at the non-resonance line at 213.6 nm, and the capability of Zeeman-effect background correction (Z-BC) to deal with the fine-structured background absorption due to the PO molecule have been investigated in the presence of selected chemical modifiers. Two line source atomic absorption spectrometers, one with a longitudinally heated and the other with a transversely heated graphite tube atomizer have been used in this study, as well as two prototype high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometers, one of which had a longitudinally arranged magnet at the furnace. It has been found that Z-BC is capable correcting very well the background caused by the PO molecule, and also that of the NO molecule, which has been encountered when the Pd + Ca mixed modifier was used. Both spectra exhibited some Zeeman splitting, which, however, did not cause any artifacts or correction errors. The practical significance of this study is to confirm that accurate results can be obtained for the determination of phosphorus using Z-BC.     

Determination of cadmium and lead in biological samples by Zeeman ETAAS using various chemical modifiers

The electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric determination of cadmium and lead in biological certified reference materials (CRMs) has been carried out by using NH(4)H(2)PO(4), Ni, Pd, Ni+NH(4)H(2)PO(4), Pd+NH(4)H(2)PO(4) and Ni+Pd+NH(4)H(2)PO(4) as chemical modifiers. A comprehensive comparison was made among the modifiers in 1% Triton X-100 plus 0.2% nitric acid as diluent and without modifier. Zeeman background correction and graphite tubes inserted with platforms were used. Comparison was made in terms of pyrolysis and atomization temperatures, atomization and background absorption profiles. Ni+Pd+NH(4)H(2)PO(4) modifier mixture was found to be preferable for the determination of Cd and Pb. Pyrolysis temperatures of analytes were increased up to 900 degrees C for Cd and 1250 degrees C for Pb by using Ni+Pd+NH(4)H(2)PO(4) in 1% Triton X-100 plus 0.2% nitric acid diluent solution. Biological CRMs were analyzed to verify the accuracy and precision of this method. Depending on the biological sample type, the percent recoveries were increased from 62 to 102% for Cd and from 58 to 106% for Pb by using the proposed modifier mixture. The detection limits of Cd and Pb were found to be 0.04, 0.92 mug l(-1), respectively.     

Investigation of the influence of interfering elements on the determination of palladium in copper ores by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Palladium contents in copper ores and copper ore concentrates at the part per billion (ppb) concentration levels have been determined after separation by extraction with dimethylglyoxime into chloroform. The influence of elements present in the extracts (Cu, Fe, Pb) on palladium absorbance signals when using a THGA graphite furnace with Zeeman background correction has been examined. It has been found that with the recommended temperature programme (T_pyr=1100°C, T_at=2200°C) Pb and Fe together influence the readings of Pd 247.642 nm through background overcorrection due to the Pb 247.638-nm line. This interference can be eliminated by increasing the pyrolysis temperature to 1200°C thus removing all Pb before the atomization step. In the presence of Cu (2.5–40 mg l⁻¹) and Fe (5–1000 mg l⁻¹) in the analysed solution no influence on the determination of palladium has been observed.     

Determination of selenium in seawater by Zeeman GFAAS using nickel plus NH4NO3 modifier

The effectiveness of nickel plus NH₄NO₃ as a chemical modifier for the determination of selenium in seawater by Zeeman electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry has been evaluated. The effect of changing the modifier mass and pyrolysis hold time on the integrated absorbance of selenium and the background absorbance has been investigated. Nickel and NH₄NO₃ allow the quantitative stabilization of selenium in the seawater matrix up to 1300° C as compared with 600° C without modifier. The modifier further reduces the background absorbance caused by seawater. The tolerable amounts of various inteferences such as chloride, sulphate and phosphorus in the presence of nickel plus NH₄NO₃ are evaluated for the determination of selenium in seawater. Received: 31 August 1995 / Revised: 21 December 1995 / Accepted: 6 January 1996     

Appraisal of different electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric methods for the determination of strontium in biological samples

A comparative study of various potential chemical modifiers (La, Mg, Pd, Ni, Ta, Lu, Sm, Eu, Ho, Er, Tm and Tb) as well as of different background correction procedures (deuterium and Zeeman effect) and atomization techniques (wall and platform) for the direct determination of strontium in biological samples was carried out. Two instruments, one with deuterium and the other with Zeeman effect background corrections have been used to perform the experiments. Although La, Mg, Pd, Ta and Lu had a positive effect, lanthanum alone provided the best performance for the determination of strontium in whole blood, urine and bone digests using wall atomization without deuterium background correction. However, neither chemical modifier produced any significant improvement in sensitivity when Zeeman effect background correction with integrated platform atomization was used. Under the optimized conditions, the characteristic masses were 0.82 and 2.20 pg and the detection limits (3σ) were 0.13 and 0.30 μg l⁻¹ with wall atomization and with Zeeman effect background correction respectively. Recovery studies and analysis of standard reference materials certified for strontium were performed to assess the accuracy. The results for the determination of strontium in real samples with wall atomization and lanthanum as chemical modifier, agreed well with those obtained with Zeeman effect background corrector with a precision typically between 0.5 and 3%. Both procedures can be recommended, and the choice will depend on instrument availability.     

Determination of arsenic, cadmium, lead and selenium in highly mineralized waters by graphite-furnace atomic-absorption spectrometry

A graphite-furnace AAS method using the stabilized-temperature platform furnace (STPF) concept, mixed palladium and magnesium nitrates as chemical modifier and Zeeman background correction has been applied to the direct determination of As, Cd, Pb and Se in highly mineralized waters used for medicinal purposes. These contain 20-40 g/l. concentrations of salts, mainly sodium and magnesium chlorides, bicarbonates and sulphates. The use of a pre-atomization cool-down step to 20 degrees in the graphite-furnace programme reduced the background absorption. Increasing the mass of magnesium nitrate modifier to 5 times that originally proposed improved the analyte peak shape. Under these conditions, no interference was found in analysis of the chloride/bicarbonate type of water, but the sodium and magnesium sulphate type of water had to be diluted, and even then an interference remained. Calibration with matrix-free standard solutions was used, but use of spike recovery is strongly recommended for testing the accuracy. The limits of determination (4.65sigma) of the proposed method for undiluted samples are 2.0 mug/l. for As, 0.05 mug/l. for Cd, 1.0 mug/l. for Pb and 1.5 mug/l. for Se.     

Spectral Interference in Antimony Analysis with High Temperature Furnace Atomic Absorption

Abstract

Background correction in atomic absorption spectrophotometry using a high temperature furnace has a close relation to the chemical treatment and the detection limit. Conventionally used for this correction is the D₂ lamp method, but spectral interference is inevitable in this method because the spectral bandwidth of the light from the D₂ lamp after passing through a monochromator is as wide as 0.1 to 5 nm. In the analysis of Sb in lead alloy or in steel, there is spectral interference due to high concentration of elements such as Pb, Cu or Fe, in the matrix, so accurate measurement is impossible unless these elements are removed at the pretreatment stage.

In polarized analyte Zeeman atomic absorption spectrophotometry developed by the authors, the wavelength of the measuring beam is the same as that of the reference and they are identical in spectral line profile as well as in geometrical shape. They differ only in the direction of polarization. For these reasons, we found that there is no spectral interference like that recognized in the D₂ lamp correction technique. As a result, a direct analysis was done simply by dissolving gunmetal or steel in acid without removing the matrix elements Pb, Cu or Fe.     

Determination of cadmium, copper and lead in soils, sediments and sea water samples by ETAAS using a Sc + Pd + NH(4)NO(3) chemical modifier

Cadmium, copper and lead in soils, sediments and spiked sea water samples have been determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) with Zeeman effect background corrector using NH₄NO₃, Sc, Pd, Sc + NH₄NO₃, Pd + NH₄NO₃, Sc + Pd and Sc + Pd + NH₄NO₃ as chemical modifiers. A comprehensive comparison was made among the modifiers and without modifier in terms of pyrolysis and atomization temperatures, atomization and background absorption profiles, characteristic masses, detection limits and accuracy of the determinations. Sc + Pd + NH₄NO₃ modifier mixture was found to be preferable for the determination of analytes in soil and sediment certified and standard reference materials, and sea water samples because it increased the pyrolysis temperature up to 900 °C for Cd, 1350 °C for Cu and 1300 °C for Pb. Optimum masses of mixed modifier components found are 20 μg Sc + 4 μg Pd + 8 μg NH₄NO₃. Characteristic masses of Cd, Cu and Pb obtained are 0.6, 5.3 and 15.8 pg, respectively. The detection limits of Cd, Cu and Pb were found to be 0.08, 0.57 and 0.83 μg l⁻¹, respectively. Depending on the solid sample type, the percent recoveries were increased up to 103% for Cd, Cu and Pb by using the proposed modifier mixture. The accuracy of the determination of analytes in the sea water samples was also increased.     

Interference of salts on the determination of lead by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. Ion chromatographic study

The influence of various salts on the atomization signal of lead has been examined by using a transverse heated atomic absorption spectrometer. To get more information about interference mechanisms, volatilization of salts has been studied by ion chromatographic analysis of the residue left on the furnace after drying or charring. The use of a Pd/Mg chemical modifier in these model solutions has also been examined. In 0.1 M chloride medium, NaCl, MgCl₂ and CaCl₂ do not interfere significantly. However, their different behaviour in the furnace, and particularly hydrolysis of MgCl₂ influence greatly the charring curves of Pb. The use of a Pd/Mg modifier appears interesting only in the case of NaCl. Indeed, Pd stabilizes Pb sufficiently to permit the removal of NaCl by charring. In the case of MgCl₂, Pb is not sufficiently stabilized to remove chloride through hydrolysis of MgCl₂ or volatilization of MgCl₂. In the presence of CaCl₂, the Pb signal is delayed and coincides with the background absorption signal of CaCl₂; the stabilization effect is not sufficient to eliminate CaCl₂ by charring before atomization. At 0.1 M nitrate concentration, the presence of NaNO₃, Mg(NO₃)₂, and particularly Ca(NO₃)₂, greatly modifies the atomization signal shape of Pb. Pb is more stabilized in nitrate medium, but losses are observed at the decomposition step of nitrate salts. In this medium, the stabilization effect of Pd leads to a single peak signal and permits elimination of nitrate decomposition products before atomization. Interference effects are more important in the presence of 0.1 M sulphate salts and increase with the acidity of the medium. Na₂SO₄, which is reduced to Na₂S on the graphite, does not interfere significantly. However, the decomposition products of MgSO₄ and CaSO₄ induce an important interference effect on the determination of Pb which is stabilized in the furnace. In the case of Na₂SO₄, the use of the Pd/Mg modifier delays the atomization signal which coincides with the background absorption signal, leading to an important interference effect which cannot be eliminated by charring. In the presence of MgSO₄ and CaSO₄, the stabilizing effect of Pd permits the elimination of decomposition products of sulphate salts before atomization and suppresses the chemical interference effect.     

Interferences in inverse zeeman-corrected atomic absorption spectrometry caused by zeeman splitting of molecules

Orthophosphoric acid was vaporized in the graphite furnace of an inverse Zeeman-corrected atomic absorption spectrometer and the performance of the background corrector system was studied at some analyte lines in the wavelength region where the species PO is known to have strong band systems. The investigation revealed cases of both over- and under-compensation probably caused by Zeeman splitting of PO rotational lines.     

Determination of selenium in biological tissue samples rich in phosphorus using electrothermal atomization with Zeeman-effect background correction and (NH4)3RhCl6+citric acid as a mixed chemical modifier

Spectral interferences from phosphorus on the determination of selenium in biological tissue materials were not observed when a Zeeman-effect background correction was used with rhodium as a chemical modifier. A suppression effect on the selenium signal resulted when the concentration of phosphorus present was greater than 1.0 mg ml⁻¹. Rhodium was found to be more effective than palladium in overcoming the phosphate interference. Analytical procedures for the direct determination of trace selenium in standard reference materials by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry following sample dissolution in nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide using a microwave oven has been described. The results obtained agreed favourably with the certified values.     

Feasibility of high-resolution continuum source molecular absorption spectrometry in flame and furnace for sulphur determination in petroleum products

For the first time, high-resolution molecular absorption spectrometry with a high-intensity xenon lamp as radiation source has been applied for the determination of sulphur in crude oil and petroleum products. The samples were analysed as xylene solutions using vaporisation in acetylene-air flame or in an electrothermally heated graphite furnace. The sensitive rotational lines of the CS molecule, belonging to the ?ν = 0 vibrational sequence within the electronic transition X¹∑⁺ → A¹П, were applied. For graphite furnace molecular absorption spectrometry, the Pd + Mg organic modifier was selected. Strong interactions with Pd atoms enable easier decomposition of sulphur-containing compounds, likely through the temporal formation of Pd_xS_y molecules. At the 258.056 nm line, with the wavelength range covering central pixel ± 5 pixels and with application of interactive background correction, the detection limit was 14 ng in graphite furnace molecular absorption spectrometry and 18 mg kg⁻¹ in flame molecular absorption spectrometry. Meanwhile, application of 2-points background correction found a characteristic mass of 12 ng in graphite furnace molecular absorption spectrometry and a characteristic concentration of 104 mg kg⁻¹ in flame molecular absorption spectrometry.The range of application of the proposed methods turned out to be significantly limited by the properties of the sulphur compounds of interest. In the case of volatile sulphur compounds, which can be present in light petroleum products, severe difficulties were encountered. On the contrary, heavy oils and residues from distillation as well as crude oil could be analysed using both flame and graphite furnace vaporisation. The good accuracy of the proposed methods for these samples was confirmed by their mutual consistency and the results from analysis of reference samples (certified reference materials and home reference materials with sulphur content determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry).     

Determination of trace elements in seawater by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with and without a preconcentration step

The determination of the trace metals Cd, Pb and Cu in seawater by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETA-AAS) has been investigated. A combination of the platform with mixed palladium nitrate-magnesium nitrate as matrix modifier and Zeeman background correction allows Cd an Pb to be determined by aqueous standard calibration in appropriately diluted seawater samples. Copper can be determined in undiluted seawater samples without chemical modification using a standard additions method. Detection limits (3) of 2.97,5.27 and 1.1 gl^–1 are obtained for Cd, Pb and Cu respectively. A Kelex-100 impregnated silica C18 material (Kelex 100-C18) has been tried and has proved to be effective as a column packing for extraction/preconcentration of these metals from seawater. Using the column extraction method, the sensitivity of the graphite furnace technique is enhanced 50-fold using a 10 l injection volume. Thus, the determination of the studied three metals in seawater at the ng.l^–1 level could be achieved.     

Analytical performance of ETAAS method for Cd, Co, Cr and Pb determination in blood fractions samples

An electrothermal atomic absorption method (ETAAS) for direct determination of several toxic trace elements (Cd, Co, Cr, Pb) in human blood fractions was developed, because of increasing interest of toxic elements distribution in various blood constituents. Zeeman background correction and pyrolitically coated graphite tubes with L’vov platforms were used. Centrifugation was employed for the separation of blood fractions at different centrifugal conditions at 1200 × g and 3000 × g. The samples were acid-digested by HNO₃ in closed tubes under high temperature and pressure before injection into graphite furnace. Two common modifiers were used and were compared for their effectiveness to the determination of each analyte at the examined blood fractions. The effect of modifier, matrix, calibration technique and peak characteristic (peak area and peak height) on the total variation of the method was examined by analysis of variance. The sensitivity and recovery (Cd 98-110%, Cr 93-109%, Co 95-106% and Pb 91-107%) of the developed method are presented for the various fractions. The overall precision (R.S.D.) using peak area (Cd 6.3-13.1%, Cr 8.2-13.9%, Co 7.4-8.5% and Pb 7.0-11.8%) and peak height measurements (Cd 1.1-9.3%, Cr 6.5-13.5%, Co 6.5-17.3% and Pb 6.9-14.8%) are also presented for pellet and supernatant solution. Standard addition technique was more accurate in terms of analyte recovery.     

Direct determination of cadmium and copper in seawater using a transversely heated graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer with Zeeman-effect background corrector

Methods for the direct determination of copper and cadmium in seawater were described using a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer (GFAAS) equipped with a transversely heated graphite atomizer (THGA) and a longitudinal Zeeman effect background corrector. Ammonium nitrate was used as the chemical modifier to determine copper. The mixture of di-ammonium hydrogen phosphate and ammonium nitrate was used as the chemical modifier to determine cadmium. The matrix interference was removed completely so that a simple calibration curve method could be applied. This work is the first one with the capability of determining cadmium in unpolluted seawater directly with GFAAS using calibration curve based on simple aqueous standards. The accuracy of the methods was confirmed by analysis of three kinds of certified reference saline waters. The detection limits (LODs), with injection of a 20-mul aliquot of seawater sample, were 0.06 mug l(-1) for copper and 0.005 mug l(-1) for cadmium.     

Determination of lead in waters and sediments from the wetland Tablas de Daimiel National Park (Spain)

Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) has been used for lead control in waters and sediments of the wetland Tablas de Daimiel National Park. The lead determination in the wetland water is hindered by an enhanced salt content, so matrix interference was evaluated. The use of stabilized temperature platform atomization technique, Zeeman background correction and palladium nitrate as matrix modifier were found advisable. For the sediments a closed-vessel microwave dissolution method has been proposed using a mixture of HCl-HNO₃-HF and a heating time of 90 s. With subsequent ETAAS using platform atomization and Zeeman background correction, no chemical modification was necessary. Using these conditions, the interferences were completely removed for both waters and sediments and the calibration curve in ultrapure water (1% nitric acid) was linear up to 30 μg/L. The detection limits for waters and sediments were 0.95 μg/L and 0.78 μg/g, respectively. The accuracy of the proposed method for sediments was validated by analyzing certified reference materials (obtained values were within the certified ones) and spiked wetland sediments (mean recovery of 99.0%). Received: 11 October 1998 / Revised: 3 December 1998 / Accepted: 11 March 1999     

Determination of lead in waters and sediments from the wetland Tablas de Daimiel National Park (Spain)

Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) has been used for lead control in waters and sediments of the wetland Tablas de Daimiel National Park. The lead determination in the wetland water is hindered by an enhanced salt content, so matrix interference was evaluated. The use of stabilized temperature platform atomization technique, Zeeman background correction and palladium nitrate as matrix modifier were found advisable. For the sediments a closed-vessel microwave dissolution method has been proposed using a mixture of HCl-HNO₃-HF and a heating time of 90 s. With subsequent ETAAS using platform atomization and Zeeman background correction, no chemical modification was necessary. Using these conditions, the interferences were completely removed for both waters and sediments and the calibration curve in ultrapure water (1% nitric acid) was linear up to 30 μg/L. The detection limits for waters and sediments were 0.95 μg/L and 0.78 μg/g, respectively. The accuracy of the proposed method for sediments was validated by analyzing certified reference materials (obtained values were within the certified ones) and spiked wetland sediments (mean recovery of 99.0%). Received: 11 October 1998 / Revised: 3 December 1998 / Accepted: 11 March 1999     

Precision Considerations in the Determination of Manganese in Mouse Brains by Furnace Atomic Absorption with Zeeman Background Correction

Abstract

A method is presented for the determination of manganese in mouse brains by furnace atomic absorption with Zeeman background correction. Precision for the method of standard additions is compared with that of aqueous calibration curves. NBS bovine liver SRM is analyzed to verify the accuracy of the method.