Determination of Chromium in Environmental and Biological Samples by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: A Review

Abstract

The technique most widely used for chromium determination in biological and environmental samples is atomic absorption spectrometry with flame (FAAS) or graphite furnace (GFAAS). In this regard, there are many articles in the literature dealing with the effect of the interferences upon chromium solutions of different oxidation state. These effects are not well established and the results are contradictory. With the aim of joining all this information, we review the state of the art in chromium determination with AAS in environmental and biological samples. The first part of the paper is related with the different sample pretreatment methods proposed for natural and seawaters, sediments, soils, plant materials, biological materials, sewage sludges and urban particulate matter. The second part deals with the instrumental parameters and interference effects which affect chromium measurements by FAAS and GFAAS. The last part presents different certified reference materials available for the quality control in Cr determinations in the environment.