Preconcentration of trace metals from salt solutions using thiuram disulphide as collector

Traces of Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb in salt solutions (e.g. KCl, Ca(NO₃)₂, A1₂(SO₄)₃, Cr₂(SO₄)₃, (NH₄)₂SO₄) are determined by flame AAS after preconcentration with thiuram disulphide (TDS) as collector precipitate. The preconcentration recovery is mainly influenced by pH, TDS amount and its aging in the sample solution. Conditions of an optimal preconcentration procedure were elaborated. Detection limits vary from 0.5 ng/ml (for Cd) to 8.3 ng/ml (for Pb) and the relative standard deviation is 2 to 6 %. The accuracy of the results was checked by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry and by electrothermal AAS.