In our study the method for the determination of Tl by ICP-MS was optimized
. Both isotopes, Tl-203 and Tl-205, were used for the measurement. Lutetium
at a concentration 0.4 mg L-1 was used as an internal standard. Soil extra
cts were measured after dilution (1+4 with the solution of lutetium 0.5 mg
L-1). Several soils from the International Soil Exchange Programme (WEPAL)
were analyzed for the comparison of the results. For all tested samples the
achieved results were in a good agreement with the results reported by WEP
AL. A detection limit 1.2 mu g kg(-1) was achieved for the samples. The met
hod was used for the determination of thallium in soils collected in the na
tional monitoring programme (200 sites) and in the monitoring programme of
the contaminated areas (27 sites). Topsoil and subsoil were sampled on each
site and analyzed separately (454 samples were analyzed). The median value
for the tested soils was 0.25 mg/kg, lower and upper quartiles 0.19 and 0.
32 mg kg(-1) respectively, 10(th) and 90(th) percentiles 0.16 and 0.41 mg k
g(-1) respectively and the maximum value was 2.83 mg kg(-1).