Usage of STAT for improving in sensitivity of some metals in AAS and applying in determination of the biomonitor plants

In this study, a significant enhancement in the sensitivity of Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) for the determinations of Cd, Pb and Cu was achieved by using slotted tube atom trap (STAT) made from quartz material. For this purpose, the parameters such as the diameter length, the length of the upper slot of tube, the thickness of tube wall, and the tube length were examined. The enhancement as high as 13-fold for Cd, 7-fold for Pb and 3-fold for Cu in the sensitivity of AAS was obtained by using the thickness of tube wall of 1.5 mm, the tube length of 12 cm, the length of the upper slot of 1.0 cm and the tube diameter of 6 mm. In the second section of this study, the biomonitoring plant leaves for indicating of pollution of Cd, Pb and Cu in environment including air, soil and water were examined. For this purpose, various plant leaves were collected from contaminated and uncontaminated areas. After digestion by dry and microwave ashing, the solutions were analysed by AAS. The assessment of the accuracy of measurements, some plant leaves were analysed by ICP-MS. It was found that the plants including Ficus Carica, Juglans, Vitis Vinifera, Eriobotrya Japonica, Olea Europaea, Morus L. plants for Pb can be used as biomonitor and Nerium Oleander, Pinus Nigra, Cupressus Sempervirens and Cupressus Arizonica, Bioda Thuja, Acacia Robinia, Platanus, Vitis Vinifera, Morus L. and eleagnus for Pb as both biomonitor and bioremediation. Furthermore; the plants such as Acacia Robinia, Populus nigra, Salix, Eriobotrya Japonica and Cydonia Oblonga for Cd can be used as biomonitors. Keywords: Cadmium, Lead, Zinc, Atomic Absorption, STAT, biomonitor, bioremediation.