Rapid determination of molybdenum in botanical material by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Low levels of molybdenum in plant samples are determined by simple digestion in nitric acid followed by electrothermal spectrometry. Sensitivity is enhanced by nitric acid whereas chloride, sulfuric acid, and perchloric acid have inhibiting effects. Recovery of molybdate added to plant samples averaged 94.3%, with a relative standard deviation of 10% for 0.50 μg Mo g^-1 of plant material. Large numbers of samples can be screened for molybdenum content without tedious organic extractions or long dry ashing processes.