Effectiveness of palladium plus magnesium as a matrix modifier for the determination of lead in solutions and soil slurries by electrothermal atomisation atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract

A systematic study of various amounts of Pd + Mg as a matrix modifier for the determination of Pb using platform atomisation was carried out. In aqueous solution, small amounts of Pd alone were effective in delaying analyte vaporisation until conditions in the graphite furnace were nearly isothermal. However, Pb recoveries were low unless Mg was also present. Optimum amounts were 0.6 µg of Pd plus 1.0 µg of Mg for the determination of 1.0 ng of Pb. For soil slurries, 0.6 µg of Pd alone was effective. It is thought that the organic material in soil aids the reduction of Pd and thus improves its effectiveness in delaying Pb vaporisation.