Tungsten permanent chemical modifier for fast estimation of Se contents in soil by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.

A tungsten carbide coating on the integrated platform of a transversely heated graphite atomizer was used as a modifier for the direct determination of Se in soil extracts by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (0.0050 mol L(-1)) plus ammonium hydrogencarbonate (1.0 mol L(-1)) extracted predominantly available inorganic selenate from soil. The formation of a large amount of carbonaceous residue inside the atomizer was avoided with a first pyrolysis step at 600 degrees C assisted by air during 30 s. For 20 microL of soil extracts delivered to the atomizer and calibration by matrix matching, an analytical curve (10.0-100 microgram of L(-1)) with good linear correlation (r = 0.999) between integrated absorbance and analyte concentration was established. The characteristic mass was approximately 63 pg of Se, and the lifetime of the tube was approximately 750 firings. The limit of detection was 1.6 microgram L(-1), and the relative standard deviations (n = 12) were typically <4% for a soil extract containing 50 microgram of L(-1). The accuracy of the determination of Se was checked for soil samples by means of addition/recovery tests. Recovery data of Se added to four enriched soil samples varied from 80 to 90% and indicated an accurate method.