A temperature-controlled graphite tube furnace for the determination of trace metals in solid biological tissue

A temperature-controlled graphite furnace for atomic-absorption analysis has been built and tested. The temperature of the graphite tube was monitored with an infrared-sensitive detector. Samples were introduced directly or via a separately heated graphite cup. Micro-samples of solid biological tissue were analysed directly for Zn, Mn and Co and the sensitivities for 1% absorption were 0.05,2 and 10 pg respectively. The salt content of the tissue limits the sample sizes, owing to non-specific absorption. The ashing conditions were investigated and found to be especially critical for Zn.