Spectroscopic and electrothermal conditions for the determination of antimony in seawater using a transversely heated graphite furnace with Zeeman-effect background correction have been optimized with the use of an a priori calculation of the detection limit. The lowest limit of detection was obtained with a 2 nm spectral curvatures bandwidth and the use of an electrodeless discharge lamp; however, these experimental conditions resulted in strong premature curvature of calibration curves. Pd(NO3)2 can be recommended as a chemical modifier because seawater interference effects are minimized and pretreatment curves up to 1500°C can be used permitting the removal of the major part of the saline matrix before atomization. Under optimized spectroscopic and electrothermal conditions the obtained limit of detection of Sb in seawater was about 0.4 μg L-1.