Low-power focused microwave technology as a new tool for rapid preparation of solid samples for speciation analysis

A new generation of methods for speciation analysis in solid samples, in which the sample throughput is controlled by the duration of the GC run and not by the sample preparation step, is presented. The time necessary for the quantitative isolation of the analytes from the sample matrix is reduced from up to 24 h to 3-5 min by the application of focused low-power microwave technology. At the same time solvent consumption is reduced and the analyte recoveries are improved, Two approaches are considered: selective microwave-assisted leaching of the analyte compounds from the matrix and microwave-assisted matrix dissolution; both of them leave the organotin moiety intact, The technique is validated by the analysis of environmental certified reference materials. Examples of microwave-assisted sample preparation for capillary gas chromatography with quartz furnace atomic absorption spectrometric detection, flame photometric detection and microwave-induced plasma atomic emission detection are given.