Influence of two grinding methods on the uncertainty of determinations of heavy metals in atomic absorption spectrometry/electrothermal atomisation of plant samples

Chemical analyses of trace elements are affected by relatively high analytical errors due to the different steps of the laboratory procedures: samples grinding, mineralisation and instrumental measurements. In the present communication, the influence of the grinding phase on the global uncertainty of Pb, Cd, Ni and Cr determinations in plant samples by the classical method of atomic absorption spectrometry/electrothermal atomisation (AAS-ETA) after dry ashing is quantified. Two grinding machines, a planetary mill with balls and jars of agate versus a stainless steel grinder were compared by analysing leaf samples of cucumber, strawberry, kiwivines, apple trees and grapevines from agricultural experimental plots under controlled conditions. Variance components due to the difference between grinding methods and experimental plots were estimated. Further, the simultaneous effects of the grinding methods on all considered metals have been evaluated by analysis of variance. With the stainless steel grinder, on average, higher levels of the considered heavy metals were obtained (up to 67% of the mean values). On average, the increments were similar for metals contained in steel (Ni and Cr) and those not contained (Pb and Cd). The true causes of these differences need further investigation to determine whether the higher metal detection is due to possible contamination, to a different grinding quality or to other reasons. Finally, the grinding methods did not seem to affect the combined uncertainty of the analyses.