Determination of aluminium, calcium, iron and magnesium in sewages and sewage effluent by a rapid electrothermal atomic-absorption spectroscopic method

Abstract

The methods currently used for the determination of aluminium, calcium, iron and magnesium in sewages and final effluent are time consuming. A rapid electrothermal atomic-absorption spectroscopic procedure utilising homogenisation of samples as the only pre-treatment has been compared with digestion methods followed by flame atomic-absorption spectroscopic analysis in a statistically designed experiment. Low-sensitivity (secondary absorption) lines were used for the electrothermal atomic-absorption analysis. The time saved by the use of this method is substantial and it could be used advantageously for routine analysis.