The determination of lead and cadmium in biota by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A method for the rapid and accurate determination of Pb and Cd in mammalian tissue and invertebrates is described based on electrothermal atomic absor ption spectrometry with Zeeman-effect background correction. Samples were d igested using an open, nitric acid procedure using a chemical modifier of r educed Pd and NH4H2PO4. Instrument detection limits (3 sigma) were 3.0 ng g (-1) for Pb and 0.37 ng g(-1) for Cd. When applied to Certified Reference M aterials (bovine liver, pig kidney and lobster hepatopancreas), the method achieved recoveries of 94.0 - 99.6%. Spiked samples were also analysed usin g digests of: mammal hair, bone, muscle, residual carcass and whole inverte brates. Spike recoveries ranged from 82 - 106.6%.