Determination of lead in natural and waste waters using a non-dispersive atomic fluorescence spectrometer with a tungsten spiral atomizer

Abstract

A laboratory-made atomic fluorescence spectrometer with a capacitively heated tungsten spiral atomizer was applied to the determination of lead in waters. The optical system for fluorescence collection and the electronics for registration have been improved, which made it possible to suppress the emission of the hot spiral and to measure the fluorescence directly from the inner volume of the spiral. The detection limit of lead (3.5 × 10–7 g dm–3) is reduced by a factor of 30 compared with measuring the fluorescence above the spiral. The relative standard deviation is 0.05%(n= 10). An acidity of <1% HNO3, a magnesium content of <0.01 g dm–3 and a calcium content of <0.02 g dm–3 do not affect the lead fluorescence signal.