Determination of trace levels of barium in calcium carbonate by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry

Abstract

A sensitive atomic-absorption spectrophotometric method for the determination of trace levels of barium in calcium carbonate using a simple graphite-rod atomiser has been developed. The calcium carbonate is dissolved in nitric acid and the solution applied to the sample cavity in the graphite rod. A detection limit of 0·0045 µg ml^–1 of barium in a solution containing 10 000 µg ml^–1 of calcium was obtained on a 5-µl sample volume.