Development of sensitive GC-AAS instrumentation for analysis of organometallic species in the environment

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Abstract
Atomic absorption spectrometry provides a highly sensitive element-specific detection system for organometallic species preseparated by gas chromatography. Both flame and flameless atomisation systems have been used and high sensitivity attained with elements such as Sn, Pb and As. Non-ionic alkyl or hydride species which are G.C.-volatile may be analysed directly, whilst ionic species generally require conversion to a hydride or a butylated form prior to analysis. The development of a G.C.-A.A.S. interface will be described, together with the optimisation of an A.A.S. detector based upon a hydrogen diffusion flame, which is sensitive to picogram levels of organometallic compounds. The G.C.-A.A.S. equipment has been further interfaced with a two-stage thermal desorption system for analysis of vapours collected on polymeric absorbents. The application of the system to the analysis of organometallic species of Pb in a variety of environmental media will also be described.