Palladium–magnesium nitrate as a chemical modifier for the determination of lead in mussel slurries by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract

A method for the determination of lead in mussel slurries by atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomization using Pd–Mg(NO₃)₂ as a chemical modifier is proposed. The drying, ashing and atomization temperatures were optimized. Calibration and standard additions graphs, sensitivity, precision, accuracy and the effects of different slurry stabilization agents were also studied. The method was applied to the determination of lead in mussel samples from the Galician coast and the results obtained were compared with those achieved by means of a wet digestion procedure.