The use of atomic-absorption spectrophotometry for the determination of copper, chromium and arsenic in preserved wood

Abstract

The application of atomic-absorption spectrophotometry to the determination of copper, chromium and arsenic in preservative-treated wood is described. The preserving compounds are rapidly leached from wood samples with a mixture of dilute sulphuric acid and hydrogen peroxide solution. Copper, chromium and arsenic in the leach solution are determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and the results are compared with those obtained by colorimetric analysis.

With this method an analytical sensitivity for arsenic of 0·10 µg ml^–1 has been achieved by use of an argon (entrained air)-hydrogen flame and a 10-cm propane burner.