Direct solid sample analysis of sediments, soils, rocks and advanced ceramics by ETV-ICP-AES and GF-AAS

Methods for the direct solid sample trace element determination in complex composed inorganic powder samples, e.g. sediments, soils, rocks, minerals and similar technical materials, are systematically investigated by SS-ETV-ICP-AES and SS-GF-AAS. High-grade homogeneity of the sample powder even at milligram and submilligram levels is required due to small sample weights. All the investigations are carried out with CRMs and RMs. SS-ETV-ICP-AES, which has been improved by high temperature vapor halogenation, is used for the determination of Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the trace element range < 10 to > 500 mu g/g. No significant influence of matrix components is observed using this method. SS-GF-AAS is used for the determination of Cd, Pb, and Zn in the 0.006 to 150 mu g/g range. Precision and accuracy of SS-C;F-AAS are improved by application of 3D-calibration plots in comparison to conventional 2D-calibration. In this way, the two methods SS-ETV-ICP-AES and SS-GF-AAS complement one another concerning their analytical performance.