Determination of heavy metals in fish samples of the middle Black Sea (Turkey) by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

The concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn) in fish samples were determined using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after dry ashing and wet ashing methods. Different matrix modifiers were used for the stabilization of the analyte. Good accuracy was assured by the analysis of biological reference materials. Recoveries were quantitative for all elements studied (greater than or equal to95%). The relative standard deviations were less than 7% for all elements. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.