Application of matrix-modification in determination of thallium in waste water by graphite-furnace atomic-absorption spectrometry.
A method has been developed for the determination of thallium in waste water at the ng ml level by graphite-furnace atomic-absorption spectrometry. If microgram amounts of palladium or platinum are used as a matrix modifier, the ashing temperature for thallium can be raised to 1000 degrees , and the interference of halides and mineral acids is greatly reduced. The relative standard deviation found was 2% (9 replicate determinations) at the 8-ng ml thallium level, and the detection limit 1 ng ml .