The performance of ZEISS GFAAS-5 instrument on the determination of trace metals in whole blood samples of Southern elephant seals (Mirounga Leonina) from Antarctica

The severe matrix interference on chromium determination in whole blood samples of Southern elephant seals from Antarctica by a GFAAS (ZEISS-5 model) at 357.9 nm is demonstrated. Such interference was due to overlapping absorption spectra of chromium and iron at 357.9 nm and appeared as a systematic constant error, which was not corrected with the application of the standard addition technique. Thus, the interference was eliminated using the second resonance wavelength (359.4 nm). No iron interference was observed in nickel and lead determinations. However, for cadmium a suppression of the signal (15-20%) was observed.