Simplified method for the determination of cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, lead and zinc in sewage sludge using atomic-absorption spectrophotometry

Abstract

Various digestion techniques were examined for the efficient extraction of cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, lead and zinc contained in typical sewage sludges. It was concluded that a simple nitric acid digestion in calibrated glass tubes was an accurate, rapid and safe dissolution technique for the routine atomic-absorption determination of the above six metals in sewage sludges.