Determination of chromium, manganese, lead and cadmium in biological samples including hair using direct electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract

Direct analysis of solid samples employing a laboratory assembled electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometer is demonstrated to be a feasible approach for determination of trace elements in plant tissue and hair samples for special applications in plant physiology and biomedical research. As an example, the kinetics of Cr uptake by cabbage and its distribution have been measured as a function of chromium speciation in the nutrient solution. Further, longitudinal concentration gradients of Cr, Pb and Cd have been measured in hair of various population groups exposed to different levels of these elements in ambient and/or occupational environments. The techniques are validated for the determination of these trace elements by neutron activation analysis, dissolution atomic absorption spectrometry and by analysis of certified reference materials. Slurry sample introduction is found appropriate for routine trace element determination and in homogeneity testing. Direct sample introduction is indispensable in the analysis of very small (< 1 mg) tissue biopsy samples in the determination of trace element distributions.