Direct determination of zinc in seawater by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract

Zinc in seawater was determined directly by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS), using a stabilized temperature platform furnace (STPF) technique, and Zeeman background correction. Zinc in seawater was determined directly without modifier; the detection limit was 0.11 μg/1. Unpolluted seawater can be analyzed by this simple method generating results with high accuracy and precision. Significantly improved sensitivity and precision of the atomic signal were achieved when zinc in seawater was atomized from a graphite surface pretreated with vanadium (NH 4VO 3). With vanadium as modifier, the detection limit is decreased to 0.024 μg/l. The method of standard additions was used. The accuracy and precision of the developed methods were confirmed by analysis of certified reference saline waters.