An activity for introducing hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) during the Instrumental Analytical Chemistry course is presented. The posed problem involves the discrimination of mineral water samples according to their geographical origin. Thirty-seven samples of 9 different brands were considered and the results from the determination of Na, K, Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba were taken into account. Non-supervised methods for pattern recognition were explored to construct a dendrogram, score and loading plots. The devised activity can be adopted for introducing Chemometrics devoted to data handling, stressing its importance in the context of modern Analytical Chemistry.

The use of an internal standard (IS) in ET AAS can be considered a new trend after the commercial introduction of a simultaneous spectrometer. The evaluation of experimental data to choose the most appropriate IS can be done by comparing correlation graphs. They were used to verify the resemblance among the simultaneous measurements obtained for the analyte(s) and the IS by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICPOES). The judicious selection of IS by using correlation graphs for determinations by ET AAS can be exploited to improve the precision and accuracy of the analytical results. Therefore, a new approach for studying the use of IS in ET AAS is presented.

A systematic study of Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, NO3-, SO4(2-) and PO4(3-) interference on the simultaneous atomization of As, Cd, Pb and Se was carried out using an electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometer. The mixture 250 mg W + 250 mg Rh was thermally deposited on the graphite tube platform and used as permanent chemical modifier. The compromised heating program adjustments (Tp = 650ºC and Ta = 2200ºC) diminished the thermal decomposition and volatilization efficiency of the interfering species during the pyrolysis step. The Cl- and SO4(2-) anions caused the most severe interference, while NO3- only affected the analytes' atomization when high amounts (> 27 mg) were used. The anion PO4(3-) produced a strong negative interference on the Se absorbance signals. The presence of Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ prejudiced mainly Cd, and the interference effects of Cl- salts were more pronounced than NO3- salts.

Um estudo sistemático para verificar as interferências provocadas por Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, NO3-, SO4(2-) e PO4(3-) nos processos de atomização simultânea de As, Cd, Pb e Se foi realizado utilizando um espectrômetro de absorção atômica com atomização eletrotérmica. A mistura de 250 mg W + 250 mg Rh foi termicamente depositada sobre a plataforma do tubo de grafite e utilizada como modificador químico permanente. O ajuste compromissado dos parâmetros do programa de aquecimento (Tp = 650 ºC e Ta = 2200 ºC) diminuiu a eficiência de decomposição e volatilização térmica de alguns interferentes durante a etapa de pirólise, tornando a atomização simultânea de As, Cd, Pb e Se mais suscetível à interferências. Os ânions Cl- e SO4(2-) causaram as interferências mais severas, enquanto NO3- somente afetou a atomização dos elementos estudados quando presente em elevadas quantidades (> 27 mg). O ânion PO4(3-) provocou uma forte interferência negativa sobre o Se. As interferências causadas pelos cátions Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+ afetaram principalmente o Cd, sendo que os cloretos dessas espécies provocaram interferências mais intensas do que os nitratos.