ETV-ICP-OES analysis of trace elements in fly-ash samples - A fast and easy way for simplified routine determination

Distinguished procedures for routine assessment of metal contents in powdered environmental samples need to be simple, fast, reliable and accurate. Using ICP-based measurement techniques usually sample digestion is necessary prior to liquid analysis. In this work, a method is presented which allows accurate quantification of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn and Ni in fly ash samples by means of electro-thermal vaporization (ETV) in combination with ICP-OES detection. Thus, time demanding sample digestion could be circumvented. For analysis slurries of the powdered samples are prepared and measured without any further complex sample preparation. The method was validated by analysis of BCR 176R (fly ash), demonstrating that calibration with aqueous standard solutions allows accurate quantification. Derived detection limits ranged from 2 μg/g to 25 μg/g, providing sufficient sensitivity for analysis of metallic contaminants in fly ash. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of municipal waste incineration ash samples from Spittelau, Vienna's municipal waste combustion plant.