The problem of arsenic interference in the analysis of Cd to evaluate its extractability in soils contaminated by arsenic

The arsenic (As) spectral interference observed in the determination of cadmium (Cd) by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) was studied in atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) using flame (FAAS) and graphite furnace (GFAAS) as atomizers. The soils of 15 kitchen gardens located near two smelters in the North of France were selected according the ratio As/Cd. Four different extracting solutions usually used to evaluate the mobility of Cd were chosen to extract Cd from these soil samples: citric acid 0.11 M, acetic acid 0.11 M, calcium chloride 0.01 M and water. The quantitative determinations of Cd in the 15 soils for each solvent were investigated by ICP-AES at two lines (228.802 and 214.438 nm) and by FAAS or GFAAS with two-way background compensation. Compared to the Cd concentrations measured in the acid solutions and in the CaCl₂ solution after the addition of a chemical modifier, it was clearly demonstrated that the high-speed self-reversal background compensation (HSSR-method) was the method of choice to eliminate the spectral interference of As during Cd determination by FAAS and by GFAAS. In water, it was shown that the deuterium lamp used for the background compensation (D₂-method) was able to eliminate the most of the As interference. In comparison with Cd concentrations in water after adding a chemical modifier, those obtained with the HSSR-method were similar and a very good correlation was obtained between these two methods (R² = 0.995). It was therefore established that the HSSR-method would be able to replace the chemical modifiers to eliminate As interference in the determination of Cd-extractable from As contaminated soils.     

Determination of urinary arsenic by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with the l'vov platform and matrix modification

Total arsenic can be determined rapidly and simply in urine by dilution with a matrix modifier containing nickel and magnesium nitrate in nitric acid. The background correction capability of Zeeman-effect electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry effectively nullifies nonatomic absorption by urine concomitants. Accuracy and precision of the method were evaluated by the determination of total arsenic in the National Bureau of Standards' SRM 2670, Toxic Elements in Freeze-Dried Urine, and commercially available lyophilized urine material. Deviations of determined concentrations from expected values ranged from about 4 to 18 ng ml^?1 with standard deviations ranging from about 5 to 31 ng ml^?1.     

Methylmercury determination using a hyphenated high performance liquid chromatography ultraviolet cold vapor multipath atomic absorption spectrometry system

The present work investigates the use of a multipath cell atomic absorption mercury detector for mercury speciation analysis in a hyphenated high performance liquid chromatography assembly. The multipath absorption cell multiplies the optical path while energy losses are compensated by a very intense primary source. Zeeman-effect background correction compensates for non-specific absorption. For the separation step, the mobile phase consisted in a 0.010% m/v mercaptoethanol solution in 5% methanol (pH = 5), a C₁₈ column was used as stationary phase, and post column treatment was performed by UV irradiation (60 °C, 13 W). The eluate was then merged with 3 mol L^− 1 HCl, reduction was performed by a NaBH₄ solution, and the Hg vapor formed was separated at the gas–liquid separator and carried through a desiccant membrane to the detector. The detector was easily attached to the system, since an external gas flow to the gas–liquid separator was provided. A multivariate approach was used to optimize the procedure and peak area was used for measurement. Instrumental limits of detection of 0.05 µg L^− 1 were obtained for ionic (Hg²⁺) and HgCH₃⁺, for an injection volume of 200 µL. The multipath atomic absorption spectrometer proved to be a competitive mercury detector in hyphenated systems in relation to the most commonly used atomic fluorescence and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric detectors. Preliminary application studies were performed for the determination of methyl mercury in sediments.     

Fast ultrasound-assisted treatment of urine samples for chronopotentiometric stripping determination of mercury at gold film electrodes

This work describes an efficient, fast, and reliable analytical methodology for mercury determination in urine samples using stripping chronopotentiometry at gold film electrodes. The samples were sonicated in the presence of concentrated HC1 and H₂O₂ for 15 min in order to disrupt the organic ligands and release the mercury. Thirty samples can be treated over the optimized region of the ultrasonic bath. This sample preparation was enough to allow the accurate stripping chronopotentiometric determination of mercury in the treated samples. No background currents and no passivation of the gold film electrode due to the sample matrix were verified. The samples were also analyzed by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS) and good agreement between the results was verified. The analysis of NIST SRM 2670 (Toxic Metals in Freeze-Dried Urine) also validated the proposed electroanalytical method. Finally, this method was applied for mercury evaluation in urine of workers exposed to hospital waste incinerators.     

Background overcorrection problems for lead in the presence of phosphate with various metals in Zeeman graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Phosphate in various chemical forms has been widely used as a chemical modifier for the determination of Pb by graphite furnace AAS. When Pb was determined in bone digestate, with NH₄H₂PO₄ modifier and a transversely-heated furnace and a longitudinal Zeeman background correction system, low recoveries of Pb were found. This was found to be caused by a background overcorrection problem associated with the matrix of phosphate plus Ca and/or Mg. The overcorrection problem caused erroneously low Pb concentrations to be predicted when using aqueous Pb standards for calibration. The overcorrection problem was not reproduced with a transverse Zeeman correction system. While the magnitude and shape of the background signal changed with different phosphate compounds, the important features remained constant. We suggest that the background overcorrection problem was caused by molecular absorption of PO formed during atomization in the presence of any of several metals, most specifically the alkaline earth elements, since the PO molecular absorption bands appear to be subject to Zeeman-effect splitting.     

Determination of Antimony in Sediments by Zeeman-Corrected Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry with Ultrasonic Slurry Sampling

A method was developed for the determination of antimony in slurried sediments (on the basis of samples of three Certified Reference Materials) by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) with Zeeman-effect background correction. Slurried samples were prepared in 6% nitric acid containing 0.02% of Triton X-100. A mixed palladium/magnesium chemical matrix modifier, L'vov platform atomization and a temperature-time program with a relatively short (10 s) sample pyrolysis stage were used. The results of the determinations by this technique are in very close agreement with certified values and the repeatability of this analytical procedure expressed in terms of relative standard deviation was typically better than 9% at the slurry concentration of approx. 90 mg/2 mL. The characteristic mass of Sb (at the spectral line 231.1 nm) was 25.6 pg and the limit of detection (calculated for 100 mg/2 mL slurry) was about 0. 04 μg/g.     

Vergleichende Bestimmung von Cadmium in Blut mit vier verschiedenen Verfahren

Zusammenfassung Es werden vier Verfahren zur Bestimmung von Cadmium in Blut miteinander verglichen. Bei drei Verfahren erfolgt der eigentliche Bestimmungsschritt atomabsorptionsspektrometrisch mit einem Graphitrohrofen, beim vierten inversvoltammetrisch an einer rotierenden Glascarbonelektrode. Die Probenvorbereitung erfordert unterschiedlichen Aufwand: Beim ersten Verfahren wird eine direkte Bestimmung ohne Matrixabtrennung durchgeführt, beim zweiten Verfahren wird die Eiweißmatrix mit Salpetersäure ausgefällt. Bei Verfahren 3 und 4 wird die organische Matrix in einem Aufschluß oxidativ zerstört, wobei bei Verfahren 3 dem Bestimmungsschritt zusätzlich eine Extraktion vorgeschaltet wird.Die Schwierigkeiten bei der Messung der nichtatomaren Absorption im direkten Verfahren werden durch Einsatz einer Technik überwunden, die den Zeeman-Effekt ausnutzt (Zeeman-Kompensation).

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Comperative determination of cadmium in blood by four different methodsApplication of furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (background compensation by Zeeman effect and deuterium emitter) and inverse voltammetry

Summary Four methods for the determination of cadmium in blood are compared. In three methods the final step of determination takes place by furnace atomic absorption Spectrometry, in the fourth by anodic stripping voltammetry with a rotating glassy carbon electrode. The sample preparation requires different expense: In the first method a direct determination without matrix separation is accomplished, in the second the protein matrix is precipitated by nitric acid. In methods 3 and 4 the organic matrix is destroyed by an oxidizing digestion, followed in method 3 by an extraction step.The difficulties in measuring the background absorption in the direct method are overcome by using a technique basing on the Zeeman effect (Zeeman compensation).

     

Determination of Hg in water and wastewater samples by CV-AAS following on-line preconcentration with silver trap

An online mercury preconcentration and determination system consisting of cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS) coupled to a flow injection (FI) method was studied. The method was developed involving the determination of ng/L levels of mercury retained on the silver wool solid sorbent. Experimental conditions such as sample volume, flow rate, stability of the column and effect of foreign ions on the determination of trace amounts of mercury were optimized. The detection limit is 3 ng/L and dynamic range 10–250 ng/L require only 50 mL of sample. The relative standard deviations (RSD) of the determinations are below 4%. The presence of common metal ions, such as K+, Na⁺, Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, Fe³⁺, Ni²⁺, and Mn²⁺, does not interfere with the measurement of mercury by this method. The method was successfully applied to the determination of mercury in water and wastewater samples.     

Progress in direct solid sampling analysis using line source and high-resolution continuum source electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

The literature about direct solid sample analysis of the past 10–15 years using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry has been reviewed. It was found that in the vast majority of publications aqueous standards were reported as having been used for calibration after careful program optimization. This means the frequently expressed claim that certified reference materials with a matrix composition and analyte content close to that of the sample have to be used for calibration in solid sample analysis is not confirmed in the more recent literature. There are obviously limitations, and there are examples in the literature where even calibration with certified reference materials did not lead to accurate results. In these cases the problem is typically associated with spectral interferences that cannot be corrected properly by the systems available for conventional line source atomic absorption spectrometry, including Zeeman-effect background correction. Using high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry, spectral interferences become visible owing to the display of the spectral environment at both sides of the analytical line at high resolution, which makes program optimization straightforward. Any spectrally continuous background absorption is eliminated automatically, and even rapidly changing background absorption does not cause any artifacts, as measurement and correction of background absorption are truly simultaneous. Any kind of fine-structured background can be eliminated by “subtracting” reference spectra using a least-squares algorithm. Aqueous standards are used for calibration in all published applications of high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry to direct solid sample analysis. This contribution is based on a presentation given at the Colloquium for Analytical Atomic Spectroscopy (CANAS ‘07) held March 18–21, 2007 in Constance, Germany.     

Precision and detection limits in Zeeman graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

This is the first theoretical study of photometric errors in Zeeman graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with evaluation of their effect on the precision in the traditional method of peak area determination and the pulse restoration method proposed earlier for linearization and expansion of calibration curves. Besides the fraction of non-absorbed radiation, α, and Zeeman sensitivity ratio, R, the theoretical calculations make use of three more parameters, namely the “energy” value, E, the baseline offset compensation time, t_toc, and the integration time, t_int. The theoretical calculations are supported by experimental data on detection limits for a number of elements and on the RSD obtained in Ag and Cd determinations. A comparison of the precision in the case of pulses with dips has shown the pulse restoration method to be superior over the traditional technique. The theoretical results can be used to improve the measurement precision and the detection limits by proper modification of the spectrophotometer and optimization of experimental conditions.     

A direct differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetric method for the determination of thallium in natural waters

A dual direct method for the ultratrace determination of thallium in natural waters by differential pulse anodic stripping voltamrnetry (d.p.a.s.v.) is presented. D.p.a.s.v. at the hanging mercury drop electrode and at the mercury film electrode is used in the concentration ranges 0.5–100 μg Tl l^-1, and 0.01–10 μg Tl l^-1, respectively. Quantification is aided by the technique of standard additions. The response of the method is optimized for typical natural surface water matrices. An intercomparison of thalium determinations performed by the two anodic stripping methods and electrothermal-atomization atomic absorption spectrometry on normal and thallium-spiked surface water samples demonstrates equivalent accuracy within the range where atomic absorption is applicable. The method appears free from serious interferences.     

Application of edta to direct graphite-furnace atomic absorption analysis for cadmium in sea water

A method is described for the direct determination of cadmium in undiluted sea water by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The addition of EDTA ( 1 mg ml^-1) reduces the temperature of atomization of cadmium to far below that of volatilization of other matrix components. The need for very careful temperature control and accurate background compensation is thus minimized. Sea water was analyzed by the method of standard additions. A detection limit of 0.01 μg l^-1, a sensitivity of 0.034 μg l^-1 and a precision of ±10% at the 0.05 μg l^-1 level were obtained for 20-μl injections.     

Beitrag zur Spurenanalyse von Quecksilber durch Wickbold-Verbrennung und flammenlose Atomabsorption

Zusammenfassung Die Knallgasverbrennung nach Wickbold ist als Probenvorbereitung zur Hg-Bestimmung durch flammenlose Atomabsorption gut geeignet. Die Direktmessung in den Verbrennungsgasen in einer Verbrennungsküvette ist nur begrenzt anwendbar, etwa bei halogenfreien wäßrigen oder organischen Lösungen, z.B. Essigsäure. Sicherer ist die Naßabsorption (H₂SO₄/KMnO₄-Lösung) mit anschließender Reduktion und Ausblasen des atomaren Hg-Dampfes, wobei ein Chlorüberschuß bei der Verbrennung (CCl₄-Zugabe) quantitativ Hg-Absorption durch Bildung gut löslicher Hg-Chloride gewährleistet. Das Verfahren ist universell anwendbar und erfaßt einen weiten Konzentrationsbereich (0,1 ppb bis zu Prozentgehalten Hg).

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Contribution to the determination of traces of mercury by Wickbold combustion and flameless atomic absorption

The Wickbold oxyhydrogen combustion is a suitable method for sample preparation in trace analysis of mercury, combined with flameless atomic absorption spectrometry. Samples free from halogens, especially aqueous or organic solutions (e.g. acetic acid), may be analysed by direct atomic absorption measurement of mercury in a combustion-absorption cell. The most reliable method is combustion in presence of chlorine (forms slightly soluble mercury-chlorine compounds), absorption of mercury in H₂SO₄/KMnO₄ solution, followed by reduction, evaporation of mercury vapour by an air/N₂-current and flameless atomic absorption spectrometry at 253.7nm. The method is very versatile and allows mercury analysis in a wide concentration range (10^–8 to 10% Hg).

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Nach einem Vortrag beim 3. C.I.S.A.F.A. vom 27. 9. bis 1. 10. 1971 in Paris.     

Direct determination of traces of molybdenum in synthetic sea water by atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomization and selective volatilization of the salt matrix

A simple and rapid method is described for the direct determination by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (HGA-2100) of traces of molybdenum (O.1–4 ng) in synthetic sea water. It is shown that the salt matrix can be removed completely by selective volatilization at 1700–1850°C, but the original presence of NaCl, Na₂SO₄, and KCl causes a considerable decrease in molybdenum absorbance, and MgCl₂ and CaCl₂ a pronounced enhancement. The presence of MgCl₂ prevents the depressive effects. Samples of less than 50 μl can be analyzed directly without using a background corrector, with a precision of<10%.     

Direct determination of iron in urine and serum using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple, rapid and low-cost method for the routine determination of iron in urine and serum using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry is described which may provide an alternative to the more widespread automated spectrophotometric methods. The urine and serum samples were simply diluted with water prior to analysis. Matrix modification was found to be redundant. The standard additions technique or the use of matrix matched standards (addition calibration) was found to be unnecessary and, therefore, the calibration was performed using aqueous standards. For serum analysis the degree of dilution could be reduced by using the less sensitive 302.0-nm resonance line, yielding more precise determinations, and for urine analysis, interferences were eliminated by means of a L'vov platform. The interferences that exist in the presence of nitric acid are also discussed. Finally, the presence of background absorption was investigated by means of Zeeman effect atomic absorption.     

Indium determination in different environmental materials by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with Amberlite XAD-2 coated with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol

Methods were developed for indium (In) determination in complex ores by electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry using matrix modification after its separation with Amberlite XAD-2 coated with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN). Palladium-magnesium, nickel, and zinc nitrates were used as matrix modifiers and were compared in terms of maximum pyrolysis temperature, sensitivity and background signal. They have enhanced the absorption signals for indium, respectively eliminating the matrix interferences. The standard additions method was applied. The relative standard deviations for six replicate determinations were in the range 0.3-4.0% for indium in different ores samples for indium concentrations 7.6-209 μg g⁻¹. The recommended method was applied to the indium determination in real samples. The data obtained by this method were in good agreement with those obtained by ICP-AES.     

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.     

A new atomization cell for trace metal determinations by tungsten coil atomic spectrometry

A new metallic atomization cell is used for trace metal determinations by tungsten coil atomic absorption spectrometry and tungsten coil atomic emission spectrometry. Different protecting gas mixtures are evaluated to improve atomic emission signals. Ar, N₂, CO₂ and He are used as solvents, and H₂ and C₂H₂ as solutes. A H₂/Ar mixture provided the best results. Parameters such as protecting gas flow rate and atomization current are also optimized. The optimal conditions are used to determine the figures of merit for both methods and the results are compared with values found in the literature. The new cell provides a better control of the radiation reaching the detector and a small, more isothermal environment around the atomizer. A more concentrated atomic cloud and a smaller background signal result in lower limits of detection using both methods. Cu (324.7 nm), Cd (228.8 nm) and Sn (286.3 nm) determined by tungsten coil atomic absorption spectrometry presented limits of detection as low as 0.6, 0.1, and 2.2 μg L⁻¹, respectively. For Cr (425.4 nm), Eu (459.4 nm) and Sr (460.7 nm) determined by tungsten coil atomic emission spectrometry, limits of detection of 4.5, 2.5, and 0.1 μg L⁻¹ were calculated. The method is used to determine Cu, Cd, Cr and Sr in a water standard reference material. Results for Cu, Cd and Cr presented no significant difference from reported values in a 95% confidence level. For Sr, a 113% recovery was obtained.     

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.     

The determination of low lead levels in the bone of lead-depleted mice by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Low lead levels in the femurs of mice fed with a lead-depleted diet have been determined by use of electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with Zeeman-effect background correction. The method is based on the use of Mg(NO₃)₂/Pd as matrix modifier which enables significant reduction of the spectral interferences prevalent if chemical modifiers based on NH₄H₂PO₄ with either Ca or Mg are used for samples rich in Ca₃(PO₄)₂ matrix. The method was developed and validated by use of the NIST standard reference material 1486 bone. Bones were decomposed in a pressurized microwave-heated system using 70% nitric acid. Forty-three mice femurs, with a mass of 74.62 ± 12.54 mg, were dissolved in concentrated nitric acid. The lead results found in SRM 1486 (1.25 ± 0.15 μg g^–1, n = 9) were in good agreement with the certificate (1.335 ± 0.014 μg g^–1). Recoveries of 200 ng lead added to the SRM before or after digestion were 99.0 ± 1.4% and 98.5 ± 1.6%, respectively. The lead detection limit in bone samples is 0.06 μg g^–1 dry mass. This method is, therefore, suitable for the determination of very low lead levels (0.06–0.20 μg Pb kg^–1 bone) in the femurs of mice fed a diet with lead level of < 20μg kg^–1.