Determination of lead and nickel in animal bone by microwave-induced plasma atomic emission spectrometry with sample introduction by electrothermal vaporization

Sulphuric/nitric acid digestion of the bone precedes introduction of the diluted digest into a helium microwave-induced plasma via a tantalum electrothermal vaporizer. Atomic emission is measured at the Ni I 352.454-nm and Pb I 405.781-nm lines. Detection limits (aqueous solution) are 1.1 × 10^?10 g Ni and 8 × 10^?11 g Pb. The technique was applied to the analysis of IAEA H-5 animal bone reference material.