Matrix effects and their control during the flameless atomic absorption determination of arsenic

Abstract

Various matrices have been found to affect the flameless atomic absorption analysis of arsenic with the Heated Graphite Atomizer. Sodium in the presence of sulfate presents the most serious interference. The use of magnesium In these solutions is described to enhance the sensitivity and control the interference effects. Environmental matrices have been analyzed for arsenic by this method. Results are consistent with those obtained by standard addition and neutron activation techniques.

Assessment of Arsenic Losses during Ashing: A Comparison of Two Methods Applied to Atmospheric Participates

“…This is in rather distinct contrast to other recent reports of quantitations of As in atmospheric particulate. 2 Although no specific explanation for the lack of need for these measures was sought there was no evidence that any significant suppression of the atomic absorption signal was taking place.…”

“…Walsh, et al 2 performed a low temperature ashing of real atmospheric particulate. When the ashing was completed they split the sample, analyzing a portion by neutron activation and another portion by atomic absorption in order to test analytical techniques only.…”

“…1 These conclusions were further complicated by experience which indicated the need to control matrix effects through the addition of chemicals in order to do adequate flameless atomic absorption analyses for arsenic. 2 The purpose of this paper is to report on analyses by two analytical techniques of atmospheric particulate collected on glass fiber hi-volume sampler filters. One portion of each filter was ashed in a low temperature asher at high power levels then acid extracted and subjected to a flameless atomic absorption analysis.…”

A Critical Review

“…Sodium in the presence of sulfate represented the most serious interference in atomic absorption analysis but could be controlled by the addition of magnesium nitrate to the matrix. 127 - 128 An improved sampling technique using graphite sampling cups has been developed for the atomic absorption analysis of metal air particulates, such as lead, cadmium, zinc, and copper, at urban and background levels. 129 Lead in airborne particulates has also been determined by electrothermal atomization coupled with atomic absorption spectroscopy.…”

Speciation analysis of inorganic form of arsenic in ground water samples by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry with insitu trapping in graphite tube

“…The use of noble metals permits a delayed evaporation of an element under determination in the graphite tube. The probable mechanism of the modifiers activity [16] is based on the modifier's ability to bind other elements into interelement species that evaporate in temperatures higher than that of the evaporation of the element under determination [17][18][19] has been criticised by other authors [20].…”