title: Direct determination of metals in milligram masses and microlitre volumes by direct-current argon-plasma emission spectrometry with sample introduction by electrothermal vaporization.
abstract: The development of an electrothermal vaporization and direct-current argon-plasma emission spectrometric system which allowed the determination of metals in microlitre volumes and milligram masses is described. For the five metals investigated, the concentration detection limits were comparable to those for conventional pneumatic nebulization of solutions, and the mass detection limits were superior. The use of an ashing stage was found to reduce enhancement by sodium in the determination of copper and manganese by the plasma method. The system was shown to give accurate results for complex biological, nutritional, water and geological samples.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003, U.S.A.
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sneddon