Automated trace metal analyses of slurried solid samples by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with application to sediments and suspended matter collected in natural waters
Abstract
The work described deals with the analysis of sediment and suspended particulate matter samples slurried in a glycerol medium. Automated sequential multi-element analysis was possible using the same modifier (i.e., palladium mixed with the main matrix elements) for all of the six analytes studied (Cu, Cd, Pb, Co, Cr and Ni). The reliability of the method was confirmed by analyses performed on standard reference soils and sediments supplied by NIST and IAEA. Representative sampling of the slurry is also discussed.