3.2.5. Application
The atomization signal of Cu obtained in optimized experimental
conditions is presented in Fig. 4 (left). This figure
shows clearly the improvement obtained by the complete
removal of the background absorption signal generated by
the vaporization of magnesium and calcium fluoride species
(Fig. 4, right). Consequently, all the risks of spectral interferences
are eliminated. A similar improvement is observedin the case of Mn in the absence of Mg and Ca species
(Fig. 5). The background absorption signal practically disappears
when Pd is not added.
The experimental limits of detection (3σ, 20 measurements)
obtained for Cu and Mn are 0.05gL−1 and
0.01gL−1, respectively, for a 50L analyzed seawater volume.
The respective concentrations of Cu and Mn determined
inNASS-5 certified seawater were 0.275±0.007gL−1 and
0.91 ± 0.01gL−1 for 0.297 ± 0.046gL−1 and 0.919 ±
0.057gL−1 certified values, respectively (at the 95% confident
level, 5 measurements). No significant concentration
variations were observed after a two-month storage in a 10%
HF seawater solution.