Simultaneous multielement determination in complex matrices using frequency-modulated electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

This work presents the simultaneous multielement atomic absorption spectrometric (FREMSAAS) determination of cadmium and lead, iron and chromium, and cooper and manganese in several complex matrices. Four certified reference materials were chosen for the evaluation of the accuracy of the frequency-modulated method in routine analysis. For the determination of complex matrices, the use of a matrix modifier is unavoidable. The spectrometer is equipped with deuterium background correction. The instrumentation is presented as well as the procedures of preparation and determination and the resulting values are discussed. The samples were prepared through digestion with aqua regia according to DIN 38414 for sewage sludges and sediments. Determinations with a commercial Perkin-Elmer ZL-4100 AAS are carried out as reference. All resulting values were mathematically treated using statistical tests which have been recommended for quality control purposes.