Determination of copper in urine by carbon-furnace atomic-emission spectrometry

A method is described for the direct determination of copper in urine at normal (10-30 mug l .) levels by carbon-furnace atomic-emission spectrometry. Wavelength modulation is used to achieve automatic background correction for scatter-signals produced by the furnace and matrix. The accuracy of the method has been assessed by comparison with continuum-source atomic-fluorescence and carbon-furnace atomic-absorption methods. Relative standard deviations of about 4-5% can be achieved for either the platform or probe atomization techniques.