Abstract
Five techniques for preparing river sediments and sewage sludges for atomic absorption spectrometry determination of Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn and Cr are evaluated. The results obtained with 4 samples by 14 laboratories are compared statistically. The method involving dry ashing at 550.degree. C followed by leaching with a mixture of hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids was found to be the best technique.