Determination of trace metals in high purity gold

The possibility of using ETAAS or ICP-AES for the determination of trace amounts of Ag, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Pd, Pt and Sb in pure gold is investigated. The influence of the matrix element on the atomization of the trace analytes is studied and optimal instrumental parameters are defined. An analytical method based on matrix element reductive separation followed by spectrometric determination of trace analytes is proposed as an alternative for the analysis of high purity gold. Advantages and disadvantages of proposed analytical procedures from the viewpoint of achieved repeatability, reproducibility and detection limits and of the duration of analysis are discussed.