UV spectrometry (187–380 nm) with charge coupled device (CCD) detection was used to study the evolution of absorption spectra during the vaporization of various species in the pyrocoated graphite furnace, with electrodeposited Ir and Rh as modifiers. In order to mimic a typical matrix composition, various salts of aluminum, manganese, copper, magnesium, sodium, and lead were used in microgram amounts. Changes in spectra and vapor release rate, along with aging of the tubes in the repetitive temperature cycles, were observed. Compared to the unmodified pyrocoated tubes, the presence of Ir or Rh causes a significant reduction in the vaporization efficiency, especially for microgram amounts of copper and aluminum introduced as nitrates, and manganese introduced as a sulfate. The vaporization efficiency, for magnesium and sodium as chlorides, and for lead as a sulfate, remained unchanged. Interestingly, the aging of the tubes was accompanied by partial restoration of the spectral characteristics for unmodified tubes. For example, with unmodified pyrocoated tubes, the vaporization spectrum, appearing as a consequence of the decomposition of aluminum nitrate, consisted of Al2O bands overlapped by Al atomic lines. In the freshly modified tubes, intensities of those lines and bands were substantially reduced, and in this case, the dominance of AlO molecules was observed. The efficiency of vaporization of aluminum species increased in the aged modified tubes. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the modified surfaces for the new and aged tubes indicated that aging of the tubes is accompanied by the destruction of the pyrocoating, formation of pyrographite shells around the areas where the modifier was electrodeposited, and finally, complete substitution of the metal on the graphite surface by pyrographite debris.

Boron (B) is a rare element on Earth crust with a natural abundance of 0.001%. However, boron content of water and soils may be significantly high in the regions with rich boron reserves. In addition, extensive use of agrochemicals in soils as well as various natural processes increases the boron concentration in water. Despite B is an essential element for all living creatures, it may pose risks at high level exposures. World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended a daily intake of 1 to 13 mg B for adults. Turkey has almost 70% of world boron reserves principally in four regions: K&uuml / tahya, Emet / Balikesir, Bigadi&ccedil / Eskisehir, Kirka and Bursa, Kemalpasa. The boron content of water in these regions may go up to significant levels. Therefore, it is important to determine B in drinking water from these regions. Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) is a relatively sensitive technique for determination of boron. However, the technique suffers from formation of molecular boron compounds. Therefore, use of chemical modifiers and pyrolytically coated graphite tubes modified with refractory carbide forming elements (Ta, W, Zr, Pd, Ru, Os) were utilized to develop a reliable and sensitive method. Based on optimization studies, Tantalum (Ta) coated tube and co-injection of 5.0 &micro / L 0.01 mol/L Ca(NO3)2, 5.0 &micro / L 0.05 mol/L citric acid together with 15.0 &micro / L sample solution prepared in 1000 mg/L Mg(NO3)2 have been chosen as optimum conditions. Optimum temperatures for pyrolysis and atomization temperatures were determined as 1100 and 2700 &deg / C, respectively. Under these conditions, a detection limit of 0.088 mg/L and a characteristic mass of 186 pg for 15.0 &micro / L sample volume were obtained. The accuracy of the method was checked by EnviroMAT-Waste Water EU-L-1 CRM and NIST 1573a Tomato Leaves SRM analyses. Drinking water samples were collected from Balikesir, Bigadi&ccedil / and K&uuml / tahya, Emet and analyzed by the developed method. Samples were also analyzed by more sensitive techniques / ICP-OES and ICP-MS for a comparison study. The results are compatible with each other.

[pt] No presente trabalho é proposto o desenvolvimento de um método analítico para determinação de S por espectrometria de absorção molecular de alta resolução com fonte contínua e forno de grafite (HR-CS GF MAS). As amostras foram preparadas por dissolução ácida e os padrões de calibração, assemelhados à matriz da amostra dissolvida, contendo sulfato, tioureia ou L-cisteína foram estudados em função de suas diferentes estabilidades térmicas. A técnica de HR-CS GF MAS é uma alternativa interessante para determinação de S, pois apresenta alta resolução espectral que minimiza interferências espectrais, pelo uso de um monocromador de alta resolução que permite a separação das linhas de absorção molecular do analito e da matriz, pelo uso do forno de grafite como fonte de atomização, que permite a separação da matriz e do analito antes da etapa de medida do sinal analítico. Com isso, este trabalho tem por objetivo desenvolver um método analítico para determinação de S em amostras de cabelo por HR-CS GF MAS, a fim de avaliar os níveis deste elemento no organismo e compará-los com os resultados obtidos por ICP OES. As condições escolhidas para temperatura de pirólise e de vaporização foram 1000 graus C e 2400 graus C, respectivamente, utilizando 800 microgramas de W, como modificador permanente, e 15 microgramas e 10 microgramas, respectivamente, de uma mistura de Pd(mais)Mg, como modificador em solução. O valor determinado para a concentração de S no material certificado de referência NCS DC73347a (cabelo humano) está de acordo com o descrito em seu certificado, bem como as concentrações de S determinadas em 14 amostras de cabelo, que estão em concordância com as determinadas por ICP-OES de acordo com teste t-pareado (95 por cento de confiança), o que comprova a boa exatidão do método proposto. / [en] In the presented work it is proposed the development of an analytical method for sulfur determination by high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace molecular absorption spectrometry (HR-CS GF MAS). The samples were prepared by acid dissolution and the calibration standards containing sulfate, thiourea, L-cysteine were studied as a function of their different thermal stabilities and its capability for matrix matching. The HR-CS GF MAS technique is an interesting alternative for sulfur determination, since its capability to perform an interference-free analysis due to its high resolution monochromator that allows to overcome the spectral overlapping and by the use of the graphite furnace as atomizer which minimizes the matrix effects before the analytical measurement. The aim of this work is to develop an analytical method for sulfur determination in hair samples by HR-CS GF MAS, in order to evaluate the levels of this element in the human body and to compare them with the results obtained by ICP OES. The chosen conditions for pyrolysis and vaporization temperatures were 1000 C degrees and 2400 C degrees, respectively, using 800 micrograms of W as permanent modifier combined with 15 micrograms and 10 micrograms, respectively, of Pd(plus)Mg mixture as modifier in solution. The value determined for S concentration in the certified reference material NSC DC73347a (human hair) was in agreement with those reported in its certificate, as well as sulfur concentrations determined in 14 hair samples, which are in agreement with those determined by ICP-OES according to the t-paired test (95 percent level of confidence), which proves the good accuracy of the proposed method.