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Graphite furnace atomic absorption and inductively coupled argon plasma emission spectrometers as element specific detectors for the determination of trace elements and trace element compounds
Abstract
Trace elements exert their influences through specific trace element compounds interacting with biologically important molecules in organisms. The identities and concentrations of trace element compounds must be known before the hazards associated with certain elements can be evaluated. Many of the trace element compounds are non-volatile and cannot be determined by techniques for volatile substances. Non-volatile compounds are best separated by liquid chromatography. To ascertain the presence of trace element compounds in complex matrices, element-specific detectors should be used instead of "general detectors". Four systems were constructed that combine a high pressure liquid chromatograph with element-specific detectors. Two systems use the Hitachi Zeeman graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer (GFAAS) and the third an IL-555 GFAAS as single element specific detector. The first system was hardwired while the second version used a small single board computer as the system controller. This interface had greater flexibility and the ability to acquire intensity data from the spectrometer. The third HPLC-GFAA system was constructed using a more sophisticated computer with a disk drive. This computer makes it possible to acquire data rapidly and study, for instance, the volatilization of analytes during the ashing and atomization cycle of the spectrometer. The fourth system used a simultaneous inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer (ICP) as a multi-element-specific detector. The column exit is directly connected to the nebulizer. The software was modified to allow on-line display of five chromatograms. The HPLC-ICP system has better resolution, provides faster analysis, and better detection limits than the HPLC-GFAAS systems. The detection limits of the HPLC-ICP system are dependent on the eluant, the flow rate, the plasma power, and the region in the plasma. The ability to scan different regions of an inductively coupled plasma for better signal to noise ratios is highly desirable. A device for the computer-controlled movement of the plasma in front of the fixed entrance slit was developed and tested. Unattended recalibration of an ICP is required for the determination of metals in large numbers of samples. A program was developed to recalibrate the spectrometer at operator-selected time intervals.
Description
Typescript (photocopy).Collections
Citation
Stockton, Roderick Alan (1985). Graphite furnace atomic absorption and inductively coupled argon plasma emission spectrometers as element specific detectors for the determination of trace elements and trace element compounds. Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -591132.
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