Determination of Thallium In Solid Environmental Samples By Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Abstract A method for the determination of thallium in solid environmental samples is developed. After destruction of the sample, TI(III) is extracted from 0.5 M hydrobromic acid solution into diisopropyl-ether. the organic phase is evaporated and the residue taken up in a mixture of sulfuric and nitric acids. Measurements are carried out with an atomic absorption spectrometer with Zeeman background corrector. the accuracy of the method is tested by analysis of certified reference materials and the method is applied to fly ash and emitted particulate matter from a municipal refuse incinerator and to soil samples.