A new electrothermal atomizer for use in direct determination of Ag, Bi, In, and Tl in marine, riverine, and aeolian particulate matter on membrane filters is described. A sample capsule and atomization cell are heated separately. That is why it is possible to separate and optimize decomposition of a sample, vaporization of elements and atomization of their vapors. Noise reduction and design, which localizes the vapors in a light absorption zone, decrease detection limits of these four elements by factor of at least 3 to 10. Some analytical results are given.

Supplement to: Oreshkin, Valentin N (1992): Direct detection of silver, bismuth, indium, and thallium in marine and riverine suspended matter with a lower detection threshold. Oceanology, 32(5), 661-664