Evaluation of atomic absorption with a heated graphite atomizer for the direct determination of trace transition metals in sea water

Abstract

The heated graphite atomizer has been evaluated for its potential utilization in the direct injection analysis of sea water for trace transition metals. Direct atomization was found to be impossible owing to the scattering interference of the major salts. Selective volatilization techniques were unsuccessful in separating Zn, Cd, Pb and Ag from the major salts. Selective volatilization was successful in analyses for Cu, Fe, Mn, Co, Ni and V, the major salts being removed at a lower temperature than required for subsequent atomization of the element concerned. Covolatilization losses of copper, manganese, cobalt and nickel with the major salts reduce the sensitivity attainable, so that only iron may be determined in unpolluted sea water by this method.