Background correction Methods achieving Zeeman effect

Maximum power heating, the L vov platform, gas stop, the smallest possible temperature step between thermal pretreatment and atomisation, peak area integration, and matrix modification have been applied in order to eliminate or at least reduce interferences in graphite furnace AAS. With Zeeman effect background correction, much better correction is achieved, making method development and trace metal determinations in samples containing high salt concentrations much simpler or even possible at all. 

Total arsenic in urine was determined by the graphite furnace with Zeeman effect background correction. Using matrix modification with 5% nickel nitrate, sampie volumes of 20 /tL, charring up to 1500 °C, atomisation at 2800 °C. and using the standard addition method was reported to achieve a detection limit of 10 hqIL if the urine dilution factor (2) was considered (Edgar and Lum, 1983). 

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