Determination of aluminum in bone by atomic absorption spectroscopy

In developing this method for determination of Al in bone we paid special attention to the homogenization of bone samples, which presents great difficulties for trace-element analysis. To minimize the risk of contamination, we preferred low-temperature ashing over classical wet-digestion techniques for destruction of the organic material. Graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy is used for measurement of Al. For Al concentrations exceeding 15 micrograms/g, direct standardization against a calibration line can be used (between-run CV, 5.9%). For Al concentrations within the normal range (less than 15 micrograms/g) the standard-addition technique should be applied. Comparison of results by the method with those by a procedure based on extraction of Al with a saturated solution of EDTA revealed that, although the latter method gave considerably lower results for three of 13 samples, there was no statistical difference between results by the two methods.