Determination of copper in biological microsamples by direct solid sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract

Atomic absorption spectrometry in conjunction with electrothermal atomisation has been employed to determine copper in biological reference materials and real samples using two techniques of solid sampling. Both techniques, namely direct slurry atomisation from the tube wall and direct platform atomisation gave both accurate and precise results for the certified reference materials (orchard and tomato leaves, pepperbush, mussel and bovine liver). Portions of caddis fly larvae and aquatic plants from a copper contaminated stream were analysed and the copper contents determined by these methods. The use of a graphite microboat for direct solid sampling using only microgram samples is proposed as a valuable tool for identifying the location of trace metals in biological tissues.