The determination of selenium by atomic absorption spectrophotometry

The problems involved in the determination of selenium by atomic absorption spectrophotometry are discussed. A practical method is described for which the sensitivity is approximately 1 p.p.m. Such concentrations can be determined in organic samples, but with mineral samples the preliminary treatment renders the procedure unsuitable for concentrations lower than 50 p.p.m. in a sulphide ore.     

The determination of uranium isotopes by atomic absorption spectrophotometry

The uranium isotopes, ²³⁵U and ²³⁸U, can be determined easily by atomic absorption techniques, employing relatively inexpensive and unsophisticated equipment. A water-cooled hollow-cathode discharge tube was used as an absorption tube. It was found that large amounts of uranium atoms, in the ground state, were produced by the discharge in the tube. Thus the inherently weak uranium resonance radiation coming from. an emission source and passing through the absorption tube was absorbed. For the first time in an atomic absorption technique, samples and related standards were used in the emission source instead of an absorption source, and a high degree of accuracy and precision was obtained. Valid results were also obtained by conventional techniques — that is, the samples and related standards were employed in the absorption source.     

The determination of iron in tungsten carbide by atomic absorption spectrophotometry

An atomic absorption spectrophotometric procedure for the determination of 0.005 to 0.20% iron in a phosphoric acid solution of tungsten carbide is described. The method is rapid, preliminary separations are not required and the results obtained have been compared with those obtained by X-ray fluorescence.     

The determination of strontium in coal ash by atomic absorption spectrophotometry

An atomic absorption spectrophotometric method for the determination of 0.01%–0.40% strontium in coal ashes is proposed. After suitable dissolution of the sample, 2000 p.p.m. of lanthanum are added to overcome interferences before the solution is atomized. The results obtained were compared with those obtained by flame-emission spectrophotometry. The method is rapid and no preliminary separations are necessary.     

The determination of sodium in pure limestones by atomic absorption spectrophotometry

The determination of sodium in pure limestones by atomic absorption spectrophotometry is described. The interferences of chloride and calcium ions are discussed; chloride affects the dissociation equilibrium, and calcium lowers the evaporation rate of sodium, thus lowering the concentration of free sodium atoms in the flame. The sensitivity achieved with a rather rough apparatus is 0.15 p.p.m. sodium.     

The rapid determination of barium in bone by atomic absorption spectrophotometry

A rapid and precise method for the determination of barium in bone is presented. Barium as the nitrate is directly separated from calcium by co-precipitation with added strontium using fuming nitric acid. Atomic absorption measurements are made at 553.6 nm using a nitrous oxide-acetylene flame in the presence of strontium and potassium, and being free from noise due to the emission of CaOH. In order to improve accuracy and speed a radioactive tracer is used.     

The determination of silver in sulphide minerals by atomic absorption spectrophotometry

Silver can be determined in sulphide minerals by atomic absorption spectrophotometry after decomposition with nitric and/or sulphuric acid with addition of tartaric acid to prevent precipitation of antimonic acid. The amount of silver retained in the residue is negligible if the acids used are completely chloride-free or if mercury(II) nitrate is added.     

The determination of manganese in iron and steel by atomic absorption spectrophotometry

A procedure is described for the determination of 0.001–2% of manganese in low and high alloy irons and steels by atomic absorption spertrophotometry. The sample is dissolved in phosphoric-sulphuric acid and atomised in an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The method is rapid, free from interferences, preliminary separations are not required and results obtained on standard samples agree closely with stated certificate values.     

The determination of neon and argon in helium by atomic absorption spectrophotometry

An atomic absorption spectrophotometric technique is described for the determination of neon and argon, respectively, in helium. The accuracies obtained for nanomoles of neon and argon, respectively, were +2.1 and -1.5%. Two Geissler-type discharge tubes containing neon and argon, respectively, were used as emission sources; the absorption source was a quartz cell which contained the sample and related standards that were excited by a high-frequency oscillator. The spectral lines that were employed were neon 6402 Å and argon 8115 Å. Because the spectral lines used had transitions to metastable energy levels, instead of ground levels, a conventional monochromator was suitable.     

The determination of trace elements in sulphide minerals by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with absorption tubes

A method for the determination of minor and trace elements (Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu and Ag) in sulphide minerals by atomic absorption spectrophotometry is described. For enhancing the sensitivity of the determination, the absorption tube technique is applied. Memory effects and background absorption influences on the measurement with absorption tubes are discussed.     

The determination of gold in vegetation by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A method is described for determining nanogram quantities of gold in vegetation. The sample is digested with fuming nitric acid. After addition of hydrochloric acid, the gold is extracted into 1 ml of 4-methylpentan-2-one; the organic layer is back-extracted with distilled water to remove iron interference, and gold in the organic layer is determined by electrothermal (graphite furnace) atomic absorption spectrometry. Limits of detection depend on the volume of organic phase used but can be as low as 0.2 ng g^?1 for an original sample weight of 1 g.     

The determination of lead in copper-base alloys and steel by atomic absorption spectrophotometry

The principle of atomic absorption spectrophotometry has only recently been exploited as an analytical technique and details are given of the development of a procedure for determining lead in copper-base alloys and leaded steels. The recommended method is simple, rapid and provides results as accurate as those obtained by the more time-consuming alternative methods in current use.     

The determination of chromium in low-alloy irons and steels by atomic absorption spectrophotometry

An atomic absorption spectrophotometric procedure for the determination of 0.001–0.50% chromium in low-alloy iron and steel is described. The sample is dissolved in phosphoric-sulphuric acid before atomisation. The method is rapid, preliminary separations are not required and the accuracy obtained with standard samples is well within the permissible range for routine determinations.     

New method for the determination of pentachlorophenol by atomic absorption spectrophotometry

A new application of atomic absorption is reported for the determination of pentachlorophenol. The method is based on solvent extraction into nitrobenzene of the ion-pair formed between tris(1,10-phenanthroline) iron(II) and the anion of pentachlorophenol, and the subsequent determination of the iron concentration m the extract by atomic absorption at the 2483 A iron line.     

Interferences in the determination of aluminium by means of atomic absorption spectrophotometry

Summary The following substances have been investigated with regard to their interfering effect in the determination of aluminium by atomic absorption spectrophotometry: HCl, H₂SO₄, HNO₃, H₃PO₄, alkali and alkaline earth metals, Cu, Fe, Zn, Ni, Mn, Co, Mo, Ti, Cr, V, Si. Ternary systems with La have been examined also. Si exerts a strong depressive effect, whereas other elements in certain concentration ranges exhibit positive effects.

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Störungen bei der atomabsorptionsspektralphotometrischen Bestimmung von Aluminium

Zusammenfassung Folgende Substanzen wurden hinsichtlich einer möglichen Beeinflussung der Aluminiumbestimmung untersucht: HCl, H₂SO₄, HNO₃, H₃PO₄, Alkalimetalle, Erdalkalimetalle, Cu, Fe, Zn, Ni, Mn, Co, Mo, Ti, Cr, V, Si. Ternäre Systeme mit La wurden ebenfalls geprüft. Si übt eine stark depressive Wirkung aus, während andere Elemente in bestimmten Konzentrationsbereichen positiv wirken.

Lecture given on the 2nd Czechoslovak Conference on Flame Speotroscopy, Zvíkov, June 5–8, 1973.     

Determination of nonmetals by atomic absorption spectrophotometry

Inorganic anions and organic compounds are determined using conventional atomic absorption apparatus. Several methods are studied in which the desired compound either limits or interferes with the determination or absorption of a metal. A direct relationship is obtained between the absorption by the metal and the amount of substance sought. Substances determined include orthophosphate, sulfate, iodide, sulfide, iodate, glucose, protein, 8-hydroxyquinoline, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate.     

Determination of vanadium by atomic absorption spectrophotometry

Methods for the determination of vanadium, in the range 0.5–100 mg/l, by atomic absorption spectroscopy in an oxy-acetylene as well as in a nitrous oxideacetylene flame are presented. For use with oxy-acetylene flames, vanadium is extracted as vanadium cupferrate into a mixture of methyl isobutyl ketone and oleic acid (78:22, v/v) and the organic phase is aspirated to the flame. The sensitivity is 0.7 mg/l of vanadium in the organic phase. For nitrous oxide-acetylene flames, an aqueous solution of vanadium is aspirated directly. The sensitivity is further improved by the use of methyl isobutyl ketone, the addition of Al³⁺ and diethylene glycol diethyl ether. Many potential interferences were examined and methods to overcome those found are given.     

Determination of thallium by atomic absorption spectrophotometry

Summary The determination of thallium by atomic-absorption Spectrophotometry is described. Many substances interfere with the direct analysis of thallium under the conditions chosen. However, these interferences can be overcome by adding a lithium, potassium, or sodium buffer (5000 ppm). In this way the deviations caused by foreign substances can be reduced to less than ten per cent. Under the same conditions the effect of organic solvents has been studied.

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Zusammenfassung Die Bestimmung von Thallium mit Hilfe der atomaren Absorptionsspektrophotometrie wird beschrieben. Die direkte Bestimmung von Thallium wird im allgemeinen durch viele Fremdionen in höheren Konzentrationen gestört. Durch Verwendung eines Li-, K-, oder Na-Puffers (5000 ppm) können die Störungen auf weniger als 10% herabgesetzt werden. Unter den gleichen experimentellen Bedingungen wird die Wirkung von organischen Lösungsmitteln untersucht.