Advantages of the iridium permanent modifier in fast programs applied to trace-element analysis of plant samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

The application of a fast program combined with the advantages of the iridi um permanent modifier is proposed for trace element analysis of plant sampl es by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). For two volati le elements (Cd, Pb) and two mid-refractory elements (Cr, Ni) it was demons trated chat coating of the platform or of the tube atomization area with Ir is an efficient means of improving the accuracy and precision of results. A detailed study of interference from individual main matrix components and from composite plant matrices has confirmed the usefulness of the whole ap proach. The validity of the method has been confirmed by analysis of eight reference plant materials.