APPLICATION OF THE TRANSVERSELY HEATED GRAPHITE ATOMIZER TO THE DETERMINATION OF TRACE-METALS IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND BIOMEDICAL SAMPLES

A transversely heated graphite atomizer (THGA) with longitudinal Zeeman background correction was used for the determination of silver, nickel, cobalt, and chromium in water and human urine samples. The performance of the new type furnace was compared with that of a conventional ''Massmann''-type atomizer. The gas phase and covolatilization interferences of chloride and sulfate matrices in the determination of silver in water observed in the conventional furnace were successfully eliminated using the THGA technique. Detection limits for nickel, cobalt, and chromium were significantly improved using the new atomizer. The results of the determination of trace elements in standard reference materials showed good agreement with the certified or informative values. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.