The calibration graph was run (ns8) under the
optimal chemical and flow conditions for the
global process; the equation was absorbances
6.6=10y4q0.046X (Xs0–5 mg mly1).
The precision of the continuous analytical method
obtained for the real samples was checked on
a sample containing 2.0 mg gy1 (wet mass) copper
(ns11). The relative standard deviation of the
result was 2.7%. The limit of detection (LOD)
based on three times the standard deviation (ns
30) of the blank was found to be 0.31 mg gy1
(dry mass) or 0.06 mg gy1 (wet mass) for 30 mg
of sample. The validation of the method was
performed using a certified reference material,
TORT-1 (lobster hepatopancreas) with a Cu content
of 439"22 mg gy1. The Cu content obtained
(mean"S.D., ns4) was 438.7"0.2 mg gy1,
which agrees with the certified value. The sample
throughput, taking into account the global process,
was ca. 11 samples hy1.