Flameless atomic-absorption determination of phosphorus using ZrC coated graphite atomizer tubes

Summary A flameless atomic-absorption method for determination of phosphorus is developed, employing zirconium treated graphite tubes. The great improvement of the sensitivity with these tubes eliminates the necessity of adding La(NO₃)₃. The sensitivity does not vary from tube to tube and its maximal value is attained within the first 2–3 firings. The atomization signal is practically the same within the range of 2,600–2,800° C when the rise of the temperature is high (> 1,500° C/s). The best signal to noise ratio is obtained at 2,600° C. The detection limit is 0.05 ppm with injection of 50 l. The method is applied to the analysis of a standard steel sample.

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Flammenlose Atomabsorptionsbestimmung von Phosphor mit einer ZrC-beschichteten Graphitrohrküvette

Zusammenfassung Durch Verwendung einer ZrC-beschichteten Graphitrohrküvette wurde eine wesentliche Erhöhung der Empfindlichkeit erzielt, ohne daß eine Zugabe von La(NO₃)₃ nötig wäre. Bei Küvettenwechsel ändert sich die Empfindlichkeit nicht. Das maximale Signal wird während der ersten 2–3 Bestimmungen erreicht. Das Atomisierungssignal bleibt im Bereich zwischen 2600 und 2800 °C praktisch unverändert. Das Signal/Rausch-Verhältnis ist bei 2600 °C am größten. Die Nachweisgrenze beträgt 0,05 ppm bei 50 l. Die Methode wurde zur Analyse von Stahlstandardproben angewendet.

     

beta-Dithiocarbaminopropionic acid as a new masking agent: complexometric determination of zinc in the presence of cadmium

A new masking agent in complexometry, β-dithiocarbaminopropionic acid (β-DTCPA) is proposed. β-DTCPA forms very stable water-soluble complexes with a number of metal ions. Zinc can be titrated selectively with EDTA at pH 5–6 in the presence of large amounts of cadmium, which is masked effectively as a cadmium—β-DTCPA complex. Correct results have been obtained with Cd/Zn ratios up to 300: 1.     

SINGLET OXYGEN INDUCES FRANK STRAND BREAKS AS WELL AS ALKALI- AND PIPERIDINE-LABILE SITES IN SUPERCOILED PLASMID DNA

A covalently closed, circular, supercoiled plasmid was exposed to singlet oxygen by a separated-surface sensitizer. For each exposure, the quantity of single oxygen entering the DNA target solution was estimated by its oxidation of histidine. After singlet oxygen exposure, some DNA samples were treated to disclose occult lesions. Agarose gel electrophoresis was then used to resolve the unrelaxed supercoils from the relaxed circular and linear species, and all bands were quantitated fluorometrically. Exposure of supercoiled plasmid DNA to singlet oxygen induced frank DNA strand breaks, alkali-labile sites (pH 12.5, 90 degrees C, 30 min), and piperidine-labile sites (0.4 M, 60 degrees C, 30 min), all in a dose-dependent manner. Yields of alkali-labile and piperidine-labile sites ranged from one to four times the frank strand break yield. Replacement of buffered H2O by buffered D2O as the DNA solvent for singlet oxygen exposures increased DNA lesion yields by a factor of 2.6 (averaged over lesion classes). Our data for the detection of frank strand breaks is at variance with published results from studies in which singlet oxygen was derived from a thermolabile endoperoxide dissolved in the DNA solution.