Trace element determination in seawater by ICP-SFMS coupled with a microflow nebulization/desolvation system

Direct and simultaneous determination of Al, Ag, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Pb, Sb, U, V and Zn in diluted (1:10 v:v) seawater from the Antarctic Ocean and the Venice Lagoon at the ng mL^–1 and pg mL^–1 level has been performed by using an inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometer (ICP-SFMS). Samples were analysed by using a PFA microflow nebulizer coupled with a desolvation system or a PFA microflow nebulizer coupled with a Teflon spray chamber, respectively. Measurements were carried out at low (LR, m/m=300), medium (MR, m/m=3,000) and high (HR, m/m=7,500) resolutions depending on the studied isotope. To avoid contamination, sample pre-treatment was carried out in a clean laboratory equipped with a Class 100 vertical laminar flow hood. Concentration ranges (minimum–maximum in ng mL^–1) found in the Antarctic seawater samples (in depth profiles) were: Ag 0.0004–0.0018, As 0.69–1.32, Cd 0.031–0.096, Co 0.018–0.065, Cr 0.18–0.46, Cu 0.04–1.58, Fe 0.13–1.63, Mn 0.02–0.12, Mo 5.97–12.46, Pb 0.007–0.074, Sb 0.033–0.088, U 0.5–1.9, V 0.6–2.5 and Zn 0.16–0.80. Concentration ranges (min–max in ng mL^–1) found in the Venice Lagoon water samples (temporal profile from a benthic chamber experiment) were: Al 0.24–0.61, Ag 0.007–0.031, As 1.42–2.27, Cd 0.050–0.182, Co 0.440–1.461, Cr 0.15–0.34, Cu 0.81–2.46, Fe 0.25–1.66, Mn 11.6–31.7, Mo 6.50–10.6, Pb 0.047–0.225, Sb 0.240–0.492, U 1.7–3.3, V 1.3–2.8 and Zn 5.20–21.5. The detection limits range between 0.06 pg mL^–1 for Ag and U to 15 pg mL^–1 for Fe. In order to check the accuracy of the analytical procedure, measurements of the trace elements in a certified reference material (coastal Atlantic seawater, CASS-4-NRCC) were compared with the certified values. In addition, the results from the Antarctic and Venice Lagoon samples were compared with those obtained by using different analytical techniques.     

Isotope dilution mass spectrometry of microelectronically relevant heavy metal traces in high-purity cobalt

Summary Because cobalt and its silicides are increasingly used in microelectronic devices, an isotope dilution mass spectrometric (IDMS) method has been developed for trace analysis of relevant heavy metals (U, Th, Fe, Zn, Tl, and Cd) in high-purity cobalt. The measurements of the isotope ratios were carried out with a small thermal ionization quadrupole mass spectrometer by producing positive thermal ions in a single- or double-filament ion source. For the trace/matrix separation and the isolation of the different heavy metals, anion-exchange chromatography and an extraction method for iron were applied. The detection limits obtained were (in ng/g): U=0.007, Th=0.017, Tl=0.06, Cd=1, Zn=8, and Fe=11, which demonstrates that the particularly critical radioactive impurities uranium and thorium could be analysed down to the low pg/g range. Three cobalt samples of different purity were analysed with concentrations ranging from about 0.1 ng/g for U and Th in an ultra high-purity material produced for microelectronic purposes, up to about 70 g/g for Cd in a cobalt sample with declared purity of 99.8%. Because IDMS usually results in accurate analytical results, it can be used in the future for calibration of other methods like glow discharge mass spectrometry, as could be shown by analysing one cobalt sample by both methods. IDMS can also be applied for the production of urgently needed certified standard reference materials in this important field of high technology.Presented at the ANAKON '93 conference     

Trace determination of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in annual growth rings by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry

Summary A new voltammetric procedure has been developed for the determination of toxic heavy metals in annual growth rings. The method is based on a wet digestion of minute quantities of wood material of 10–25 mg with an acid mixture of HNO₃ and HClO₄ in a quartz cup and the subsequent simultaneous determination of Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) at the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). The accuracy of the method has been proved by using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry as an independent procedure. The problems of the contamination by ubiquitous heavy metals during the wet digestion were investigated and their influence on the results was effectively diminished. Losses of the studied metals have not been observed. The high sensitivity of the method enables the determination of the toxic metals Pb and Cd in the analyte of the wet digestion with a relative standard deviation of less than 20% in the low level range 0.1–4 g/l.The potentialities of the method have been shown in the determination of Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn in cores of oak (Quercus petraea) from Königstein (Taunus, FRG). The high sensitivity made it possible to analyze individual growth rings and thus to avoid damages on trees using an excessive quantity of material. In two samples taken as example a distinct increase of the concentration of Cd and Pb during the last decade indicates metal pollution of the region by atmospheric precipitates.

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Spurenbestimmung von Cd, Cu, Pb und Zn in Jahresringen mit Hilfe der Differentialpuls-ASV

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Attached from the Institute of Chemistry, Universidad del Norte, Antofagasta, Chile. Taken in part from the Ph.D. Thesis, University in Bonn     

Accurate determination of sulfur in gasoline and related fuel samples using isotope dilution ICP–MS with direct sample injection and microwave-assisted digestion

Inductively coupled plasma isotope-dilution mass spectrometry (ICP–IDMS) with direct injection of isotope-diluted samples into the plasma, using a direct injection high-efficiency nebulizer (DIHEN), was applied for accurate sulfur determinations in sulfur-free premium gasoline, gas oil, diesel fuel, and heating oil. For direct injection a micro-emulsion consisting of the corresponding organic sample and an aqueous ³⁴S-enriched spike solution with additions of tetrahydronaphthalene and Triton X-100, was prepared. The ICP–MS parameters were optimized with respect to high sulfur ion intensities, low mass-bias values, and high precision of ³²S/³⁴S ratio measurements. For validation of the DIHEN–ICP–IDMS method two certified gas oil reference materials (BCR 107 and BCR 672) were analyzed. For comparison a wet-chemical ICP–IDMS method was applied with microwave-assisted digestion using decomposition of samples in a closed quartz vessel inserted into a normal microwave system. The results from both ICP–IDMS methods agree well with the certified values of the reference materials and also with each other for analyses of other samples. However, the standard deviation of DIHEN–ICP–IDMS was about a factor of two higher (5–6% RSD at concentration levels above 100 g g^–1) compared with those of wet-chemical ICP–IDMS, mainly due to inhomogeneities of the micro-emulsion, which causes additional plasma instabilities. Detection limits of 4 and 18 g g^–1 were obtained for ICP–IDMS in connection with microwave-assisted digestion and DIHEN–ICP–IDMS, respectively, with a sulfur background of the used Milli-Q water as the main limiting factor for both methods.This paper was presented as a poster at the 2004 winter conference on plasma spectrochemistry, Fort Lauderdale, January 5–10, 2004     

Lead determinations in human bone by particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS)

Chronic lead (Pb) intoxication has been linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Lead, like many heavy elements, tends to accumulate in bone. PIXE is a powerful analytical tool which permits the determination of Pb at the g/g level without requiring sample digestion. GFAAS is one of the most sensitive methods for the determination of Pb and is capable of determining ng/g levels in solution. For bone analyses by GFAAS, sample dissolution and a matrix modifier are required. Rib bone samples were analyzed for Pb by PIXE and GFAAS. IAEA Animal Bone (H-5) was used as a secondary standard for Pb with both methods to ensure accuracy. The range of Pb concentrations in human rib bone was 1.4–11.5 g/g for the trabecular surface by PIXE, 1.3–45 g/g for the cortical surface by PIXE, and 1.54–11.75 g/g for whole bone by GFAAS. No significant difference (p>0.05) was found for AD versus control for either surface or for whole bone.     

Solid sampling analysis by means of autoprobe-GFAAS

Summary A recently developed solid sampling graphite system for automatic probe atomisation (SAP-GFAAS) was applied for the direct determination of Pb and Cd in untreated bovine liver matrix.The study was based on 30 livers with a low content of lead (0.045 to 0.27 g Pb/g fresh matter) and of cadmium (0.031–0.24 g Cd/g fresh matter). The basic comparative data for the evaluation of the SAP-GFAAS method were supplied by a standardized GFAAS method with preliminary sample homogenization and matrix decomposition. Additionally, data were obtained by two further solid sampling methods: a front entry graphite system with direct Zeeman effect background correction and a side entry graphite system with high-energy deuterium continuum background correction. The combination of the autoprobe technique and solid sampling was shown to provide analytical results — in terms of handling, accuracy and precision — comparable to those obtained by means of the conventional solid sampling systems. Differences between the results of the sample decomposition method and the solid sampling methods, as well as between the three solid sampling methods must be regarded as being of no practical significance. Part I: see [1].     

Sample introduction assisted by compressed air in flame furnace AAS: a simple and sensitive method for the determination of traces of toxic elements

The power of detection of flame AAS for the toxic elements Cd, Hg, Pb and Tl can be improved by 1–2 orders of magnitude by using flame furnace AAS. In flame-furnace AAS, liquid samples are introduced directly into a nickel tube located in the flame, in the simplest case through a ceramic thermospray capillary. Transportation of the samples is achieved by using compressed air only. Comparatively low detection limits are achieved by both beam injection flame furnace (BIFF-AAS) and thermospray flame furnace AAS (TS-FF-AAS). For TS-FF-AAS, a pressure of less than 20 kPa (<80 in. water) is required. The TS-FF-AAS technique is very simple, robust and cheap. The detection limits were 0.2–0.4 g L^–1 (Cd), 40–100 g L^–1 (Hg), 5–9 g L^–1 (Pb) and 4–14 g L^–1 (Tl), respectively, depending on the method, flow rate and sample volume used. Pb and Cd were found at concentrations of 0.1–2 and 0.005–0.3 g g^–1, respectively, in samples of various spices.Dedicated to the memory of Wilhelm Fresenius.     

Assessment of the essential element and heavy metal content of edible fish muscle

The aim of this work was to determine the concentrations of some essential and toxic elements in the muscle of ten species of commercial fish consumed in Portugal. We combined two different techniques for determination of the elements—energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) was used to quantify K, Ca, Fe, Zn, Se, Rb, and Sr and flame atomic-absorption spectrometry for analysis of Cr, Ni, Cu, Cd, Hg, and Pb. The latter technique was used because of its higher sensitivity, because these elements were not detected by EDXRF. The results obtained show a similar pattern for the trace elements. K and Ca are present at the highest concentrations in all the samples studied, from 0.6–1.3% and from 0.04–0.08%, respectively, followed by Zn, Fe, Sr, Se, and Rb. Sr is present at higher concentrations than Rb in all the species studied except meagre. Concentrations of the elements in octopus do not follow this pattern—Fe is present at a higher concentration than Zn. Low concentrations of Cr (0.66–1.5 g g^–1), Ni (0.11–0.24 g g^–1), Cd (0.01–0.08 g g^–1), Hg (0.49–2.74 g g^–1), and Pb (0.02–0.06 g g^–1) were observed in all the samples analysed. The concentration of Hg was highest in Helicolenus dactylopterus—5.4 g g^–1 in one sample.     

Direct analysis of solid samples by atomic absorption spectrometry, following preconcentration of trace elements from seawater with 8-hydroxyquinoline

Summary 8-Hydroxyquinoline (8-HOQ) was used for the preconcentration of Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn from seawater prior to their determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry using an inner miniature cup for solid sampling technique. The metal ions in seawater were precipitated quantitatively in the pH range 7–8.5 with 8-HOQ alone. The precipitate thus formed was directly analysed by an atomic absorption spectrometer equipped with a specially deviced graphite furnace and miniature cup. The present method was confirmed to be highly reliable for analysis of seawater. Detection limits (3_b) for Cd(II), Cu(II), Mn(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) are 1.4, 10, 5, 10, and 6 ng l^–1, respectively, for the analysis of a 400-ml portion of seawater samples. Corresponding precision of 6–14% is typical for determination 5-fold above the detection limits.

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Direkte Analyse von Feststoffproben durch AAS nach Anreicherung von Spurenelementen aus Meerwasser mit 8-Hydroxychinolin

     

Comparison of procedures for correction of matrix interferences in the multi-element analysis of soils by ICP-AES with a CCD detection system

Three procedures, matrix matching, plasma optimisation and single-point standard-addition, have been evaluated to ascertain the best procedure for simultaneous multi-element analysis of industrial soils by ICP-AES with CCD detection. A standard reference material, CRM143 from the Bureau Communautaire de Réference (BCR), has been analysed for Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni and Pb using the three different matrix interference correction procedures. All three procedures give comparable results which are in good agreement with the BCR values, except for Cr. The single-point standard addition procedure was chosen, on the basis of economy and ease of implementation, to correct for matrix interferences in the determination of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sn and V in soil samples collected from an industrial site in England. Concentrations of some of the elements were found to vary greatly with sampling depth. For example, the concentration of Mn, determined using the atomic line at 279.920 nm, increased from 426 ± 3 g/g at a depth of 18–28 cm to 5996 ± 144 g/g at 60–85 cm.     

Determination of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Pb in natural waters, alkali and alkaline earth salts by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry after preconcentration by column solid phase extraction

Methods are described for the determination of trace and ultra trace amounts of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Pb in natural waters, alkali and alkaline earth salts. Separation and preconcentration of trace metals is achieved by a column solid phase extraction procedure using silica gel modified with derivatives of dithiocarbamates — Na-DDTC (sodium diethyldithio-carbamate and HMDTC (ammonium hexamethylene-dithiocarbamate) as column packing material. The influence of the sorbent preparation procedure on the degree of sorption of the trace analytes is examined for different pH values of the sample solution. Isobutylmethyl ketone (IBMK) is proposed as an effective eluent for quantitative elution of retained metal ions. Optimal instrumental parameters for ETAAS determination of preconcentrated elements in organic eluate are presented. Practical application of sorbents in analysis of natural waters and alkali and alkaline earth salts is demonstrated. Proposed preconcentration procedure combined with ETAAS determination of trace analytes allows the determination of 0.04 g l^–1 Cd, 0.1 g l^–1 Cr, Cu, and Mn and 0.3 g l^–1 Co, Fe, Ni and Pb in natural waters and 1.10^–7% Cd, 3.10^–7% Cr and Mn, 7.10^–7% Co, Ni and Pb and 2.10^–6% Cu and Fe in alkali and alkaline earth salts.     

Die gleichzeitige Bestimmung von Cu,Fe, Mn,Zn, Pb und Cd in Pflanzengewebe mittels Differential-Puls-Polarographie

Zusammenfassung Die Ionen des Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, Fe und Mn in Pflanzenmaterial können mittels Differential-Puls-Polarographie ineinem Analysengang bestimmt werden, wenn man eine erste Grundlösung ohne Wechsel des Meßgefäßes durch Zusatz so variiert, daß jeweils eine andere Gruppe aus den genannten Ionen störungsfrei bestimmbar ist. Nach Veraschung und Lösung in Weinsäure lassen sich Cu, Pb, Cd und Zn, nach Zusatz von Ammoniak Cd, Zn und Fe, nach weiterem Zusatz von Kaliumcyanid Mn bestimmen. Benötigte Probenmenge 0,2–0,5 g, untere Bestimmungsgrenze um 1g/g. Die Methode eignet sich besonders für Serienanalysen. Ein Analysenbeispiel ist angegeben.

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Simultaneous assay of Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Pb and Cd in plant tissue by means of differential pulse polarography

Summary Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, Fe and Mn ions in plant material can be assayed by means of differential pulse polarography in one analysis operation if the first basic solution is varied without changing the measurement vessel by addition in such a way that in each case one other group of the named ions can be assayed without interference. After incineration and dissolution in tartaric acid, Cu, Pb, Cd and Zn can be assayed. After addition of ammonia Cd, Zn and Fe, and after further addition of potassium cyanide, Mn can be determined. Required sample amount: 0.2 to 0.5 g; lower limit of detection is around 1g/g. The method is especially suitable for serial analyses. An analysis example is given.

     

Determination of minor element concentrations in reference materials

It has been shown, for a Pb isotopic reference material and for natural Cd, that total evaporation with integrating mass spectrometric measurement allows the determination of isotope ratios of these elements with sufficient accuracy and reproducibility. It is possible to use the method in carefully selected cases for IDA-TIMS measurements without the application of bias factors derived from isotopic reference material measurements. IDA-TIMS measurements were used for the determination of Cd (40–400 g/g) in polyethylene and Cd (10 g/g), Pb (500 g/g), Ga (150 g/g) and Zn (2000 g/g) in the Al alloy AlCuMg2. Relative standard deviations (n=5) were between 1.2% to 2.4% in the first case and 0.3% for Cd, 0.4% for Ga, 0.14% for Pb, 0.6% for Zn in the second. Deviations from the certified values were between 0.8% and 1.4% in the first case. The four concentration values contributed to the AlCuMg2 certification measurements but deviated from the finally certified values as follows: Cd+1.0%, Ga–1.6%, Pb–0.9% and Zn+10%.     

Study of traffic pollution by metals in Seville (Spain) by physical and chemical speciation methods

Eighty-three samples of atmospheric particles were collected at a representative traffic site in the Mediterranean city of Seville during a period of one year. Urban particles were collected on quartz filters with a high-volume sampler coupled with a cascade impactor which separates particles into six size ranges: >10, 10–4.9, 4.9–2.7, 2.7–1.3, 1.3–0.6, and <0.6 m. The total metal content, its distribution by size (physical speciation), and the concentrations of different chemical forms (chemical speciation) in particles less than 0.6 m were determined. The chemical speciation scheme furnished four fractions: soluble and exchangeable metals; carbonates, oxides, and reducible metals; oxidisable and sulfidic metals bound to organic matter; and residual metals. The samples were analysed by ICP–OES for Pb, Ni, Cd, S, Fe, Zn, Cu, Ba, Mn, and V. Gaseous pollutants, traffic intensities, and primary meteorological data provided by the atmospheric and traffic networks were statistically related to the analytical data. Analytical and statistical results from physical and chemical speciation singled out Ba as a valid tracer of vehicular traffic, instead of Pb, in cities with high traffic density. Another important relationship was found between Pb and Cu. Physical speciation of lead showed that the major risk for health was from fine particles less than 2.7 m, because particles between 2.7 and 0.6 m were the size fractions of the total suspended particles with the major mass abundance of lead (mainly particles between 2.7 and 1.3 m) and because particles less than 0.6 m were the fraction of airborne particles most abundant in the urban air. Chemical speciation results showed that special attention must be taken with Ni and Cd concentrations, because of their high potential bioavailability, mainly a result of the high solubility of the chemical forms of Ni in the finest particles.     

Accurate determination of lead in wines by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Summary The capability of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for Pb determinations in wine samples is studied. An evaluation is made of the signal behaviour in aqueous ethanolic medium. The effect of preliminary sample preparation on signal suppression or enhancement is investigated in conjunction with the ability of internal standardization to correct for it. As a result, an accurate and precise method of analysis is described in which the sample preparation is limited to a 10-fold dilution and external calibration is applied for quantitation. A detection limit of 0.2 g 1^–1 Pb in wine is achieved. The Pb content of ten different wines was found to range around 40 g 1^–1 with extreme values of 1.63 and 58.8 g 1^–1.     

Automated titration of sub-microgram amounts of metal ions in aqueous solutions

Summary Using the same simple ion selective electrode of the copper sulphide-type, about 0.2–10 nMole of Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions can be chelometrically titrated. The sample to be analyzed disturbs an equilibrium situation in a solution containing about 2–5 · 10^–6 M of Cu²⁺-ions. In the titration of Zn, Cd and Pb the solution in equilibrium contains moreover about 0.05 mole/l of the copper-EDTA complex. The initial equilibrium signal is reset with EDTA. The standard deviation is about 0.5–2 ng (5 detn.). A titration takes about 1–4 min.

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Automatische Titration von Sub-Mikrogramm-Mengen von Metallionen in wäriger LösungI. Chelatometrische Titration von Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) und Pb(II) mit einer einfachen ionenselektiven Elektrode

Zusammenfassung Mit einer ionenselektiven Elektrode vom CuS-Typ sind etwa 0,2–10 nMol Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) komplexometrisch zu bestimmen. Die Probe zerstört eine Gleichgewichtssituation in einer Lösung, die etwa 2–5 · 10^–6 M Cu²⁺ enthält. Bei der Titration von Zn, Cd, und Pb enthält die Lösung zusätzlich noch 0,05 Mol/l des Kupferkomplexonkomplexes. Nach Zufügung der Probe wird die Anfangslage mit ÄDTA wieder hergestellt. Die Standardabweichung (5 Bestimmungen) beträgt etwa 0,5–2 ng, die Titrationsdauer 1–4 min.

     

Cation-exchange separation and colorimetric determination of some elements in trace analysis of platinum-rhodium (10%) alloys

Summary A method of separation and colorimetric determination of trace amounts (10^–4–10^–5%) of Cu, Al, Fe, Bi, Pb, Mn, Cd, Zn, Co, and M in platinum-rhodium (10%) alloys has been developed. The elements to be determined are retained on a column containing the strongly acidic cation-exchanger Amberlite IR-120, from dilute hydrochloric acid medium (p_H 1–1.5), while platinum and rhodium pass through in the form of anionic chloride complexes. The individual metals are eluted and concentrated and then separated by extraction and carrier precipitation. The metals are determined by means of sensitive colorimetrie methods with dithizone (Cu, Bi, Pb, Cd, Zn), eriochromecyanine R (Al), 2-nitroso-1-naphthol (Co),-furildioxime (Ni), 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (Mn), and thiocyanate (Fe). The error of the determination does not exceed 15%.

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Zusammenfassung Eine Trennungs- und Bestimmungsmethode für Spuren (10^–4 bis 10^–5%) von Cu, Al, Fe, Bi, Pb, Mn, Cd, Zn, Co und Ni in PIatm-Rhodium-(10%)-Legierungen wurde ausgearbeitet.Die angeführten Elemente werden mit Amberlit IR-120 aus der verd. salzsauren Lösung (p_H 1 bis 1,5) von Platin und Rhodium getrennt, die als Anionchloridkomplexe im Eluat bleiben. Die einzelnen Metalle werden nach Elution aus ihrer Lösung durch Extraktion bzw. Mitfällung getrennt und kolorimetrisch mit Dithizon (Cu, Bi, Pb, Cd, Zn), Eriochromcyanin R (Al), 2-Nitroso-1-naphthol (Co),-Furildioxim (Ni), 1-(2-Pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (Mn) und Rhodanid (Fo) bestimmt. Der Fehler beträgt weniger als 15%,

     

Negative thermal ionization mass spectrometry of selenium part 4. Selenium trace determination in sediments and related samples

Summary Selenium traces have been determined in different sediments (estuarine, river, lake), sandy soil and sewage sludge with isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS). Negative selenium atomic ions are formed in a double-filament thermal ion source. The use of a silica gel technique for ionization improves the mass spectrometric sensitivity by a factor of 40 compared with the technique previously applied. An enriched⁸²Se spike is used for the isotope dilution process. The samples are decomposed with a mixture of conc. HNO₃ and conc. HE After decomposition selenium is separated by the formation of SeH₂ in a hydride generation system which is normally applied for atomic absorption spectrometry. The IDMS results for three standard reference sediments agree well with the certified values. In the case of three other standard reference materials, which are not certified for selenium up to now, the IDMS analyses were able to improve the selenium data given for information or as indicative values. The precision of the IDMS method in the concentration range of 0.2–3.5 g/g lies between 0.8 % and 4.1 %. The detection limit is 6 ng/g. A comparison with several other methods shows that IDMS is one of the very few analytical methods which produces accurate selenium results even at concentration levels of 0.2 g/g and less in sediments and related samples of environmental interest.

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Negative Thermionen-Massenspektrometrie von Selen Teil 4. Selenspurenbestimmung in Sedimenten und vergleichbaren Proben

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Dedicated to Prof. Dr. G. Tblg on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

New methods for acceleration of meat sample preparation prior to determination of the metal content by atomic absorption spectrometry

Focused microwave-assisted digestion and ultrasound leaching have been applied for the extraction of Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Zn, Ca, and Mg from raw meat. Semimembranous muscle (SM) of raw pig ham was used for optimizing both the digestion and extraction steps by multivariate approaches. The detection and quantification limits were 0.5 and 0.9 g kg^–1 for Pb, 0.06 and 0.1 g kg^–1 for Cd, 0.2 and 1.2 g kg^–1 for Cr, 0.4 and 3 g kg^–1 for Cu, 0.04 and 0.1 mg kg^–1 for Fe, 0.012 and 0.017 mg kg^–1 for Zn, 0.3 and 0.4 mg kg^–1 for Ca, and 0.01 and 0.03 mg kg^–1 for Mg. The precision, expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD), ranged between 2.5 and 9.6% for focused microwave-assisted digestion and between 3.5 and 10.6% for ultrasound leaching. The methods were then compared with a reference method and applied to a certified reference material (bovine muscle 184, from the BCR). The t-test, applied to the results obtained from focused microwave-assisted digestion, revealed that they are in agreement (p>0.01) with the certified and estimated values in the case of Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ca, Mg, and Zn but not in that of Fe. In the case of ultrasound leaching, only the extraction of Pb, Cu, and Ca was quantitative. The method based on microwave digestion provides more accurate and precise results than ultrasound leaching. These new procedures have many advantages with regards to conventional methods, namely, reduction of the extraction time, simplification of the process, avoidance of chemical emissions to the atmosphere, and no losses of metals by volatilization.