title: Sliding-spark spectrometry of sediment samples.
abstract: Direct analysis of non-conducting solids and dielectric surface layers for elements at trace levels has been shown to be feasible by the new so-called sliding-spark spectroscopy, in which a discharge plasma is bound by, and propagates on, the surface of a dielectric sample matrix. By using a river sediment as a model matrix, bound in PVC to improve elemental atomization and excitation efficiency, as a result of the formation of volatile chlorides, the potential of the technique for environmental applications has been investigated by studying the characteristic UV-visible radiation emitted in the wavelength range 210-510 nm for the elements Fe, Cr, Ni, Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, Co, V, Ti, and Mn. The radiation was detected by means of a CCD spectrometer and analysed for spectral line identification, selection, and the linearity of the spectral response, to determine whether this was suitable for establishing a calibration strategy for quantitative analysis using the sliding-spark source.
authors.affiliation: FG Instrumetelle Analytik, Universität Duisburg, Lotharstrasse 1, 47048 Duisburg, Germany.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Angeyo
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Flórían
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Golloch
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vojtekovà
mesh_terms: D002138:Calibration; D004867:Equipment Design; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D013057:Spectrum Analysis
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride