The objective of this work is to develop a method for the determination of metals in saline matrices using highresolution continuum source fl ame atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS FAAS). Module SFS 6 for sample injection was used in the manual mode, and fl ame operating conditions were selected. The main absorption lines were used for all the elements, and the number of selected analytical pixels were 5 (CP±2) for Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn, and 3 pixels for Mn (CP±1). Samples were acidifi ed (0.5% (v/v) nitric acid), and the standard addition method was used for the sequential determination of the analytes in diluted samples (1:2). The method showed good precision (RSD(%) < 4%, except for Pb (6.5%)) and good recoveries. Accuracy was checked after the analysis of an SPS-WW2 wastewater reference material diluted with synthetic seawater (dilution 1:2), showing a good agreement between certifi ed and experimental results.
Keywords: high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry, determination of metals in saline matrices, water analysis, multi-element sequential analysis, SPS-WW2.Introduction. One of the most obvious advantages of high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS AAS) is the use of a single continuum source (a xenon short-arc lamp) for sequential multi-element analysis in the entire spectral range (190-900 nm) [1]. The increased signal-to-noise ratio due to the high intensity of the radiation source brings about an improvement of the photometric precision and the detection limits. Many secondary lines can also be used for analytical purposes, and elements (nonmetals: P, S, halogens, and some metalloids) [2, 3] for which no radiation source has been available may be determined [4]. When using fl ame at omizers, steady-state signals are obtained; moreover, wavelengths and fl ame conditions can be changed quickly; thus, it is possible to perform multi-element determination under optimum conditions in a single run [5]. At the same time, t he main advantage of HR-CS AAS using graphite furnaces is the direct analysis of complex samples [6]. All these instruments combine the use of the continuum source, a highresolution Echelle monochromator, and a charge coupled detector (CCD). The absorbance depends not only on the absorption coeffi cient, the length of the absorbing layer, and the number of absorbing atoms but also on the spectral interval over which the signal is recorded [7]. The spectral environment of the analytical line becomes available, and background correction and elimination of interferences in complex matrices is easier than using a line source [8]. Reference spectra, e.g., of a molecular absorption with rotational fi ne structure can be recorded and subtracted.Flame HRCSAAS (HR-CS FAAS) has been used for multi-element determination in different types of matrices. It has been used for the analysis of food and beverages (e.g., mineral waters [9], coffee samples [10], Brazilian wines [11]). Harmanescu et al. [12] determined the concentrations of Na, K,...