Determination of arsenic in environmental samples such as soil and waters and its speciation

In this study, the arsenic levels in different samples such as soil, water, plant, egg and chicken feed, taken from various industrial areas were determined by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (GF-AAS). These industrial areas include Maden Copper Mining, Plant of Ferrochrome, Plant of Cement and Elbistan Thermoelectric Pover Plant. On the other hand, different chemical matrix modifiers were studied for arsenic determination. The matrix modifier studied include the nitrate salts of palladium, nickel, iron, calcium, magnesium and their mixtures. As matrix modifier, palladium nitrate was preferred because of best results with its using. The arsenic concentrations in the studied samples were found to be 0.7-1.86 ng/ml As range in water samples, 36.10500 mg/kg As+3 in soil samples, 0.9-4.6 mg/kg As+3 in plant samples and 41-142 ng/g As+3 in egg samples.Key Words : Arsenic, Soil, Water, Plant, Egg, Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (GF-AAS)