OPTIMIZED MICROWAVE DIGESTION PROCEDURE FOR CADMIUM ANALYSIS OF MUSSEL SAMPLES

A simple and rapid acid sample digestion method by microwave healing i n high pressure teflon bombs is reported for the determination of cadm ium in mussels by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) coupled on-line with a flow-injection preconcentration system. Tests concernin g the digestion time, the power of the microwaves and the amount of ni tric acid were studied with the National Research Council of Canada lo bster hepatopancreas marine (Tort-l) as certified reference material. Using 2 min of digestion time and 2 mt of nitric acid, the complete di ssolution of 0.2 g of freeze dried sample is possible. The analytical results, obtained with calibration graph as well as by the standard ad dition method, were agreed well with the certified value of the refere nce material. This procedure was applied to the determination of cadmi um in mussel samples from estuaries in Galicia, Spain.