Abstract
The merits and limitations of various current methods for analysis of trace elements in water are discussed. A comparison yields the following global sequence of increasing sensitivity, under optimum conditions: flame-AAS<ICP-AES<ICP-USN (=ICP-AES with ultra-sonic nebuliser)<furnace-AAS<hydride-AAS<ICP-MS. Environmental water, surface water included, strongly deviates from water under optimum conditions. Suspended matter, also in filtered samples, concentration changes due to instability, spectral overlap due to high concentrations of interfering elements, and multiple valence states for selected elements, constitute the most frequently encountered sources of bias. How to eliminate or reduce these problems, is indicated for graphite furnace-AAS by way of general and element-specific modification procedures. These consist of: (1) the use of pyrocoated graphite tubes (L'vov platforms); (2) rapid heating rates to prevent losses; (3) an element-specific matrix modification by adding chemicals; (4) dosage of reducing agents in order to convert the different valence states of an element into one valency; (5) addition of Triton X 100 (1%), as a detergent, especially when palladium nitrate is added as a modifier; (6) the use of an ultrasonic vibration prior to direct injection, for homogenizing the sample; and (7) an element specific background correction system by deuterium and/or Zeeman.
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