Pb In Soil Solution Research Articles

The determination of sub-microgram amounts of elements in soil solution by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry

Abstract The applicability of flameless atomic absorption technique for the determination of various trace elements in soil solution was examined. In general, there seemed to be no serious problem for the determination of AI, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Pb in soil solution. Zinc could usually be determined by conventional open flame. The concentration of Mo was too low to obtain reliable results in most cases. In some instances, particularly in Pb determination, the interferences were so severe that the chemical separation of analytes prior to measurements seemed to be indispensable procedures. Among other various operation parameters, the temperature of pre-treatment and atomization not only had a marked influence on signals from the analytes, they also influenced the extent of background absorption and interferences. The optimum operational condition varied somewhat from sample to sample. Owing to the common presence of both positive and negative interferences due to the major constituents in soil solution, determinations must be done by the methods of standard additions in most cases. Background correction was positively necessary for the determination of Cd, Ni, and Pb, and was usually necessary for Co, Cu, Fe, and Mn, but was not necessary for Al, Cr, and Mo. The volume of soil solution needed for each measurement was generally less than 100 µl.