Determination of Tellurium in Urine by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry after Solvent Extraction

Abstract

Trace amounts of tellurium in urine were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry using a graphite furnace atomizer. The urine was concentrated and digested with HNO₃-HClO₄. The bulk of salts and interfering elements were removed by 4-methyl-2-pentanone extraction procedure, and finally the organic phase was analyzed on a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer equipped with an auto sampler having a concentration function; Recoveries of tellurium added to urine sample range from 90 to 103%; relative standard deviation was 9% at the 0.1μg level. Tellurium contents in urine ranged from <0.1 to 1.2μg/l.