In my diploma thesis I determined the content of zinc, cadmium and lead in various vegetable samples from the Dolenjska region using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Zinc is essential for the health of plants and humans, while cadmium and lead can be dangerous at elevated levels.
The work included the preparation of standard solutions, calibration curves, partial validation of the analytical method and the preparation of sample solutions. The latter were prepared by two methods, namely dry combustion and microwave-assisted acid digestion with concentrated HNO3. By adding standard solutions of the selected metals, I determined the recovery of each sample preparation method. I compared the results and explained the differences between them.
|
