[aes_lab_dude]

First, my background. I have a degree in Agriculture, therefore I have some basic chemistry, some 20 years ago. I run the lab here at our environmental management company and can do many basic analysis.  My company bought the Perkin Elmer Analyst 400 along w/ Mercury Hydride System for analyzing metals. These are As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, Se, & Ag. I went through two days training on the machine and have now used it several times.  I get good results with Cd, Cr, Pb, Ag and Hg on the MH-system.  I'm still trying to get Barium figured out, and I'm slowly getting there.  I have to use a Nitrous Oxide flame for it and some Potassium to correct for the interference.

Does anyone know of a way to run Se and As on flame?  I seem to get a lot of interference with these also.  I am using standards of 2, 5, and 10ppm for Se, and 1, 2.5, and 5ppm for As.  I would appreciate any guidance in this matter.  Thanks very much!

[chiralic]

Hello AES_LAB_DUDE: ( The guy of Atomic Emission Spectroscopy Lab?)

It's a nice equipment for AAS...

I recommend you read three papers that explain very wells you post:

Determination of traces of arsenic and selenium by hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry
http://www.springerlink.com/content/p06735w73r5p4178/

Comparison of Inorganic Interferences in Atomic Absorption Spectrometric Determination of Arsenic and Selenium
http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/ancham/1977/49/i09/f-pdf/f_ac50017a032.pdf?sessid=6006l3

Inorganic Interference Study of Automated Arsenic and Selenium Determination with Atomic Absorption Spectrometry
http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/ancham/1976/48/i04/f-pdf/f_ac60368a019.pdf?sessid=5870

These papers explain what is the best flame (air-acetylene or argon-hydrogen)...also explain manual or automatic hydride generation(with reducing agent:NaHB4 or SnCl2)

Best regards and Happy Holidays...

Chiralic

[aes_lab_dude]

Thanks very much for the references Chiralic .  I'll look them up and see what I can do.

You too have a safe and joyous holiday and thanks again.  Leon