Sampling and sample preparation are crucial for voltametric trace analysis, as they strongly influence the accuracy and reproducibility of the analysis. This monograph presents a collection of the lectures held at a seminar in 1990 on the topic of «Sample preparation techniques in voltammetric trace analysis».

The following lectures are included:

• Overview of decomposition techniques in voltametric trace analysis
• Decomposition of foods and biomatrices by “acid extraction”
• Wet digestion (H₂SO₄/H₂O₂) in food analysis
• Sample pretreatment technique for subsequent decomposition methods
• Low-pressure plasma ashing in the trace analysis of voltammetrically relevant metals
• Pressure decomposition in voltammetry – problems and solutions
• Voltammetric analysis of heavy metals in biomatrices following pressure decomposition with after-treatment