Simple procedure for the determination of Cd, Pb, As and Se in biological samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using colloidal Pd modifier

Abstract Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry was used for the determination of Cd, Pb, As and Se in the whole blood, serum, hair reference standard materials and the samples of algae collected at the coastal Estonian regions of Baltik sea. Instead of tedious and time-consuming experimental comparison of various chemical modifiers, theoretical consideration of the problem was applied for choosing the most prospective one (colloidal Pd) for solution of the given task. The experimental data obtained proved correctness of the choice. Pure standard solutions in diluted nitric acid were used for construction of the calibration graphs. The same experimental conditions were applied for each analyte for calibration solutions and all samples studied. In spite of very limited optimization procedures used, all the values obtained agree well with the corresponding reference values. Accuracy of the analysis of the algae samples was checked by recoveries of the spikes that were in the region 91–109%. Detection limits reached are 0.021, 1.2, 0.62 and 1.1 ng ml −1 for Cd, Pb, As and Se, respectively, in digests of biological samples.