Abstract
A novel analytical method for accurate determination of boron (B), phosphorous (P), and molybdenum (Mo) content in biosludge samples based on a relatively recent analytical technique, microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES), is developed in the present work. Microwave assisted acid digestion method is utilized to extract B, P, and Mo from biosludge. To demonstrate the reliability and accuracy of the present MP-AES method, its results are compared with those obtained using two well-established techniques, i.e., flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Matrix variation in the MP-AES technique is found to result in minimal changes. Precision and accuracy of the developed method are demonstrated using replicate analyses of certified sewage sludge reference material, EnviroMAT (BE-1). The limit of quantification and detection of B, P, and Mo in the extracts are determined; the linear regression coefficient was greater than 0.998 for all the three techniques. Analytical wavelengths are selected according to the sensitivity and interference effects. The results obtained in this work demonstrate the potential of MP-AES technique for the determination of B, P, and Mo content in biosludge, which achieved lower detection limits, higher accuracy, and better reproducibility as compared to other techniques.
Highlights
The alarming increase in the world population requires the development of new farmlands to grow sufficient food, which, in turn, necessitates greater use of fertilizers in order to achieve the required food production
As a result of this temperature difference, spectral interferences are less significant and the majority of elements remain in the atomic state, thereby resulting in simpler atomic emission spectral lines than those obtained with argon plasma [19]
The results of this study indicate that microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES) can be a cost-effective technique
Summary
The alarming increase in the world population requires the development of new farmlands to grow sufficient food, which, in turn, necessitates greater use of fertilizers in order to achieve the required food production. The rising prices of chemical fertilizers, coupled with the growing concerns for sustainable soil productivity, have led to a renewed interest in the. Sci. 2017, 7, 264 application of organic manure in soil fertility restoration [1]. Organic manure is a vital resource for supplying plant nutrients, and for replenishing the organic matter content of the agricultural soils [2]. The organic nature of biosludge, which contains plant nutrients and several other useful trace elements, makes it a valuable organic fertilizer for use in farming applications [3,4,5]. In view of its richness in terms of organic biomass and soil nutrient content, the best management option might be to utilize dried biosludge for agricultural purposes [6]. Standards of appropriate dilutions were prepared using the individual stock standard solutions
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