| Contents Notes |
A method has been developed for the direct determination of arsenic, antimony, selenium, and tellurium in surface waters and industrial effluents using the graphite furnace. Optimization of instrumental variables is discussed. Representative inorganic acids enhanced the analytical signal of arsenic, antimony, and tellurium, and suppressed the response of selenium. The effect of alkali and alkaline earth elements, commonly present in environmental samples, on the determinations have been studied and their interferences documented. These investigations showed that for valid analytical results experimental variables must be closely controlled, and the method of standard additions is required. The results of the developed procedure were compared to the hydried generation technique for arsenic and selenium on real samples. Recoveries ranged from 90% to 110% at a concentration of 10 microg/l for individual metals. |
