Determination of copper and lead in schist by anodic stripping voltammetry

Samples were decomposed in HClO₄/HF mixture in a Teflon beaker to avoid electrochemical interference from platinum ions. The residue remaining after evaporation to dryness was taken up in nitric acid and examined by anodic stripping voltammetry. Both the hanging mercury drop electrode and the rotating glassy carbon electrode, mercury-plated in situ, were used with success. Copper at 120 ppm and lead at 40 ppm were determined with a relative standard deviation of 6%. The schist was the Nordic reference sample ASK-2.