Closed-vessel microwave digestion technique for lichens and leaves prior to determination of trace elements (Pb, Zn, Cu) and stable Pb isotope ratios

A reliable and robust procedure using closed-vessel microwave digestion of lichens and leaves for precise and accurate determination of trace elements (Pb, Zn and Cu) and stable Pb isotope ratios is presented. The method was developed using certified reference material CRM 482 Pseudovernia furfurea (Lichens), NIST 1515 (Apple Leaves) and NIST 1547 (Peach Leaves) and tested on lichens from a mining site in Russia. A mixture of 3 mL of HNO3, 3 mL of H2O2, 2 mL of H2O and 0.8 mL of HF ensured complete sample dissolution with 100 +/-,5% recovery For Pb, Zn and Cu at a maximum temperature of 210degreesC and pressure of 350 psi. The amount of HF and microwave pressure significantly influenced Pb, Zn and Cu recovery. Comparison between EMMA-XRF and ICP-AES showed a good correlation between Pb, Zn and Cu concentrations. Using the newly developed digestion method, Pb isotopes in lichens from the mining site were determined with an internal precision better than 0.02%.