An evaluation of differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry at a rotating glassy carbon electrode for the determination of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in antarctic snow samples

A procedure is described for the determination without preconcentration of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in Antarctic snow, based on differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry at a rotating glassy carbon electrode with in situ mercury plating. Thirty four surface snow samples from Adelaide Island in the Antarctic Peninsula demonstrate the scope of this method, and allow an assessment of local heavy metal sources such as the rock, the sea, and a manned base. The zinc data are affected by container contamination, but concentrations as low as 0.005, <0.02 and 0.05 ng g-1 were measured for Cd, Cu and Pb, respectively.