Application of molecular emission cavity analysis to the determination of tin in various samples based on hydride generation

Determination of the total amount of tin by molecular emission cavity analysis (MECA) after generation of stannane by means of reduction with sodium tetrahydroborate(III) and measuring the SnH emission within the flame-containing MECA cavity is described. The volatile hydrides of tin, germanium and arsenic were separated on a short gas chromatographic column. The calibration graph was linear over the range 5–250 ng Sn, and the detection limit (SN = 21) was 5 ng Sn, and the relative standard deviation for the determination of 50 ng Sn was 2.8% (n = 8). The method was applied successfully to the determination of total tin in fish, canned soft drinks and sea sediment samples. Hydride generation recovery from soil sample solutions, however, was low.