Determination of lead and cadmium at silver electrode by subtractive anodic stripping voltammetry in plant materials containing TI

Lead and cadmium have been determined by the subtractive anodic stripping voltammetry using the square-wave mode at a silver electrode without removal of oxygen. The samples containing large amount of thallium were collected from a highly contaminated region. The presence of thallium strongly affects the peak shape of Cd. The plant material digestion was performed with HNO3/HClO4 mixture using pressurised microwave decomposition. The proposed method used for the lead determination was validated by the inter-method comparison (ICP-MS). The cadmium determination was validated using certified reference material. The results obtained, supported by statistical tests, demonstrated the usefulness of the method for the lead determination in samples containing large amounts of Cd and Tl. It is important to note that Cd can only be quantified when the thallium concentration is much lower than that of cadmium.