x SUMMARIES OF PAPERS IN THIS ISSUEDetermination of Noble Metals by Carbon Furnace Atomic-absorption Spectrometry. Part 1. Atom Formation ProcessesEvidence is presented to support the theory that the formation of atoms ofnoble metals during carbon furnace atomisation proceeds via direct evapora-tion of the metal. The evidence includes (i) thermogravimetric investigationof noble metal salts and their aqueous solutions in an argon atmosphere, (iz)X-ray diffraction studies of the residues formed on heating aqueous solutionsof some noble metal salts in a carbon furnace atomiser and in the microfurnaceof a thermobalance, (iii) measurements of the appearance temperatures ofnoble metals in a carbon furnace atomiser using aqueous solutions andvacuum-deposited metal films and (iv) activation energies, Ea, and vapourpressure data relating to noble metals a t elevated temperatures.Experimental conditions giving the best sensitivity for the determinationof seven noble metals (osmium was not detected) in the Perkin-Elmer HGA-74carbon furnace atomiser are presented. On the basis of a 20-p1 samplevolume these gave sensitivities (1%) absorption) of 0.019, 0.005 8, 0.004 5,0.00021, 0.038, 0.023 and 0.00089 pg ml-l for ruthenium, rhodium,palladium, silver, iridium, platinum and gold, respectively.July, 1979Keywords Noble metal determination ; atomic-absorption spectvometvy ; carbonfurnace atomisationW.B. ROWSTON and J. M. OTTAWAYDepartment of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Cniversi ty of Strathclyde, CathedralStreet, Glasgow, G1 1XL.Analyst, 1979, 104, 645-659.Separation of Organotin Compounds by Using the Difference inPartition Behaviour Between Hexane and Methanolic BufferSolution.Part 1. Determination of Butyltin Compounds inTextiles by Graphite Furnace Atomic- absorptionSpectrophotometryA method for determining tributyltin conipounds (TBTs) and dibutyltincompounds (DBTs) in textiles has been studied by graphite furnace atomic-absorption spectrophotonietry. They are successfully extracted from textileswith methanol containing 0.050/, of hydrogen chloride. Their partitionbetween hexane and a methanolic buffer solution (pH 8.5) was studied byvarying the methanol concentration of the aqueous buffer phase. OnlyTBTs can be extracted with hexane from a methanolic buffer solution con-sisting nf 40 ml of methanol and 30 ml of buffer soliition.TBTs are adsorbedon an alumina column and eluted with a small volume of dichloromethane.DBTs remaining in the aqueous phase are extracted with dichloromethaneas a complex with 4- (2-pyridy1azo)resorcinol. After evaporation of thedichloromethane, t h e residue is heated with concentrated nitric acid and itstin concentration is determined by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry.Keywords : Organotin determination ; liquid - liquid partition ; butyltin com-pounds ; textiles ; graphite furnace atomic-absorption spectrophotometvySHIGEO KOJIMANational Institute of Hygienic Sciences, 1-18, Kamiyoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo,Japan.Analyst, 1979, 104, 660-667xii SUMMARIES OF PAPERS I N THIS ISSUEMethod for the Rapid Detection of Organic Pollutants in Water byVapour-phase Ultraviolet Absorption SpectrometryJ ~ l y , 1979A novel method for the rapid detection of organic pollutants in waterutilising vapour-phase ultraviolet absorption spectrometry is described.The water sample is extracted with hexane or chloroform and a small amount(0.1-10 pl) of the extract is placed in a small graphite tube, which is slowlyheated while the absorption of the sample is monitored.For optimumsensitivity for most substances a wavelength of 190 nm was used, and otherwavelengths can additionally be used t o characterise further and fingerprintthe sample. Each trace can be completed within 2 min and the techniqueresponds t o many substances that are difficult to characterise or detect bygas - liquid chromatography.Keywords : Organic pollutant detection ; uapouv-phase ultvaviolet absovptionspectvowaetry ; oil characterisationK.C. THOMPSON and K. WAGSTAFFMalvern Regional Laboratory, Severn-Trent Water Authority, 14 1 Church Street,Malvern, WR14 2AN.Analyst, 1979, 104, 668-679Cathode-ray Polarographic Determination of Molybdenum inSerum, Plasma and UrineShovt PaPevKeywovds : Molybdenum detevmintition ; blood ; atvine ; cathode-may polavo-SyaPlZYGARY D. CHRISTIAN and GASTON J. PATRIARCHEInstitut de Pharmacie, Universit6 Libre de Bruxelles, Campus Plaine %Is/ 1,Brussels, Belgium.A~zalyst, 1979, 104, 680-683.Improved Method for the Determination of Mercury in Fish TissueUsing 50% Hydrogen Peroxide and a Hot BlockShort PapevIleywovds : Mevcury detevvlzinntion ; fish ; 50% hydrogen pevoxide digestionJ.W. DAVIDSONDepartment of Fisheries ai;d Environmcnt, \Vest Vancouver, Uritish Columbia,Canada, V7V 1N8.Analyst, 1979, 104. 683-687.Preparation and Operation of Selenium Electrodeless DischargeLamps for Use in Atomic-fluorescence Flame SpectrometryShovt PapevKeywovds : Atomic flziovescence ; flame atomisation ; electsodeless disclzavgelamps ; seleniumR. G. MICHEL, J. M. OTTAWAY and J. SNEDDONDepartment of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclycle, CathedralStreet, Glasgow, G1 1XL.and G. S. FELLDepartment of Biochemistry, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, G4 USF.Analyst, 1979, 104, 687-691July, 1979 SUMMARIES OF PAPERS I N THIS ISSUEIodimetric Determination of Milligram Amounts ofCertain Aliphatic AcidsShort PaperKeywords : A liphatic acids deterwination ; solid iodate and iodide reagent ;iodimetric titrationS. N.NEMA and R. M. VERMADepartment of Post-Graduate Studies and Research in Chemistry, University ofJabalpur, Jabalpur, M.P., India.Analyst, 1979, 104, 691-693.A Variation of the Monier- Williams Distillation Technique for theDetermination of Sulphur Dioxide in Ginger AleShort PaperKeywords : Sulphur dioxide determination ; ginger ale analysisBRONISLAW L. WEDZICHA and MICHAEL K. JOHNSONProcter Department of Food Science, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9 JT.Analyst, 1979, 104, 694-696.Sources of Error in the Flame Photometric Determination of Sodiumand Potassium in CementsCommunicationKeywords : Sources of erYor ; flame photometry ; sodium detzwnination ;potassium determination ; cement analysisP. G. DEANEBlue Circle Technical, Research Division, Greenhithe, Kent, DA9 9 JO.and T. P. LEESCement and Concrete Association, Research and Development Division, WexhamSprings, Slough, Buckinghamshire, SL3 6PL.Analyst, 1979, 104, 696-697.Gas Analysis using an Internal Standard in Adsorption TubesCommunicationKeywords ; Gas analysis ; adsorption tube ; internal standard; anisole ; gaschromatographyB. I. BROOKESDepartment of Regional Chemist, Strathclyde Regional Council, 8 Elliot Place,Clydeway, Glasgow, G3 8E J.Analyst, 1979, 104, 698-699.x ii