Multielement preconcentration of trace metals from natural waters by solvent extraction with an alkylated oxine derivative

Kelex 100, a commercially available alkylated oxine derivative, is shown to be effective, in purified form, for the simultaneous extraction of trace levels of Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) from natural waters into toluene. The high lipophilicity of the extractant and its chelates affords large preconcentration factors in a single batch-extraction. Back-extraction with a small volume of nitric acid provides additional enrichment for subsequent determination of total (soluble) metal by graphite-furnace atomic-absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). Calibration with standard solutions can be used, which has advantages over the method of standard additions.