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S. R. Koirtyohann

Publications and source records attributed to S. R. Koirtyohann.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Flame ionization mass spectrometry--Isotope ratio determinations for potassium

The air/acetylene flame provides a convenient ion source for the determination of potassium isotopic ratios by mass spectrometry. Unlike the argon inductively coupled plasma (ICP), the flame provides low background in the mass region of interest. Ion production is quite satisfactory for isotope ratio measurements at the micrograms per milliliter (μg/mL) level and slightly below, with 1 μg/mL potassium giving about 10<sup>5</sup>counts/second at a nominal mass-to-charge ratio of 39. The detection limit for potassium was 2-3 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). The ratio of <sup>41</sup>K/<sup>39</sup>K was measured with 0.5-1% relative standard deviation, and a <sup>41</sup>K spike representing 0.2% of the total potassium was readily detected. Both signal levels and signal stability were improved by adding a second easily ionized element such as cesium to samples and standards. Alternatively, a cesium solution could be aspirated for about 1 minute between sample measurements to ensure signal stability.

Applied Spectroscopy

Effects of cover materials on leaching of constituents from dolomitic lead mine tailings

Five raised-bed test plots were used to study the effects of cover materials on the leaching of constituents from dolomitic Pb mine tailings over a 2-yr period. The cover materials studied were a fertilizer and seed mixture, anaerobically digested sewage sludge, loam and sod, and fallen leaves from silver maples ( Acer Saccharinum ); one plot was not covered. Fresh leachates and receiving pool waters were analyzed for ten metals, Si, P, inorganic anions, filterable organic carbon (FOC), and alkalinity. The mixture of fertilizer and seed decreased leaching of Pb and Zn during the first year. The leaf cover increased leaching of Pb during both years; this effect decreased as the leaves weathered. Sludge caused some increase in Pb leaching during the first year, and increased Cd leaching during both years. Concentrations of most leachate constituents decreased, and pH increased in the receiving pools. Concentrations of Pb remained higher in the receiving pool for the leaf-covered plot than in the other pools. Increases in leaching of Pb and Cd with a sludge cover were moderate, and the ability of the material to support plant growth on the tailings suggested that it may be a good medium for inducing growth of vegetative cover on the dolomitic tailings. Other organic materials may cause pronounced increase in the concentration of toxic trace metals in leachate from the tailings.

Missouri

Heating rates in furnace atomic absorption using the L'vov platform

Heating rate profiles for the furnace tube wall, the furnace atmosphere, and a L'vov platform were established for a range of conditions in a cyclically heated graphite atomizer. The tube wall profile was made by direct observation with a recording optical pyrometer. The sodium line reversal method was used to establish the heating rate of the furnace atmosphere, and appearance temperatures for a series metals of differing volatility was used to establish platform profiles. The tube wall heating rate was nearly linear at 2240°C s − until the desired temperature was reached after which the temperature remained constant. The furnace atmosphere reached a given temperature 0.2–0.4 s later than the tube wall through most of the atomize cycle. The platform lagged the tube wall 0.5–0.8 s. Under typical operating conditions the furnace atmosphere was 100–200°C cooler than the tube wall and at nearly constant temperature when the analyte vaporized from the platform. The L'vov platform causes the cyclically heated commercial furnace to approximate the behavior of a constant temperature furnace during atomization.

Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy

Reduction of matrix interferences in furnace atomic absorption with the L'vov Platform

Use of a modified L'vov Platform and ammonium phosphate as a matrix modifier greatly reduced matrix interferences in a commercial Massmann-type atomic absorption furnace. Platforms were readily fabricated from furnace tubes and, once positioned in the furnace, caused no inconvenience in operation. Two volatile elements (Pb, Cd), two of intermediate volatility (Co, Cr) and two which form stable oxides (Al, Sn) were tested in natural water and selected synthetic matrices. In every case for which there was a significant matrix effect during atomization from the tube wall, the platform and platform plus modifier gave improved performance. With lead, for example, an average ratio of 0.48 ± 0.11 was found when the slope of the standard additions plot for six different natural water samples was compared to the slope of the standard working curve in dilute acid. The average slope ratio between the natural water matrices and the dilute acid matrix was 0.94 ± 0.03 with the L'vov Platform and 0.96 ± 0.03 with the platform and matrix modifier. In none of the cases studied did the use of the platform or platform plus modifier cause an interference problem where none existed while atomizing from the tube wall. An additional benefit of the platform was a factor of about two improvement in peak height precision.

Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy