Determination of the chemical forms of cadmium and silver in sediments by Zeeman effect flame atomic-absorption spectrometry

Abstract

A polarised Zeeman flame atomic-absorption spectrometer has been used for the determination of cadmium and silver in chemical extracts of sediments using a procedure designed to provide information on the potential availability of trace elements. The limit of determination for complex solution matrices was found to be 1.1 µg 1^–1 for both cadmium and silver. Minimum base-line noise for the instrument afforded very good stability of the calibration conditions at the 10 µg 1^–1 level for the two elements. Accuracy tests performed with standard reference materials showed good agreement for the determinations in the extracts. The analysis of suspended and bottom sediments is used to demonstrate the value of this instrumental technique.