Determination of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Pb in natural waters, alkali and alkaline earth salts by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry after preconcentration by column solid phase extraction

Methods are described for the determination of trace and ultra trace amounts of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Pb in natural waters, alkali and alkaline earth salts. Separation and preconcentration of trace metals is achieved by a column solid phase extraction procedure using silica gel modified with derivatives of dithiocarbamates — Na-DDTC (sodium diethyldithio-carbamate and HMDTC (ammonium hexamethylene-dithiocarbamate) as column packing material. The influence of the sorbent preparation procedure on the degree of sorption of the trace analytes is examined for different pH values of the sample solution. Isobutylmethyl ketone (IBMK) is proposed as an effective eluent for quantitative elution of retained metal ions. Optimal instrumental parameters for ETAAS determination of preconcentrated elements in organic eluate are presented. Practical application of sorbents in analysis of natural waters and alkali and alkaline earth salts is demonstrated. Proposed preconcentration procedure combined with ETAAS determination of trace analytes allows the determination of 0.04 g l^–1 Cd, 0.1 g l^–1 Cr, Cu, and Mn and 0.3 g l^–1 Co, Fe, Ni and Pb in natural waters and 1.10^–7% Cd, 3.10^–7% Cr and Mn, 7.10^–7% Co, Ni and Pb and 2.10^–6% Cu and Fe in alkali and alkaline earth salts.     

Preconcentration and Fractionation of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in Natural Water Samples Prior to Analysis by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry

The strong cation exchanger Dowex 50W-x4 was used for the enrichment of traces of Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn in mineral and mine waters as an alternative to the commonly applied procedures based on the application of chelating resins. The resin used was found suitable for complete retention of these metals both from the solutions of very low pH as well as those close to neutral, thus eliminating the need to buffer the samples. An analytical scheme based on filtration and solid phase extraction with Dowex 50W-x4 was proposed for partitioning Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni and Pb in the examined waters. The fraction of metals associated with the suspended particles was determined after filtration through a 0.45 µm pore size filter and decomposition of the deposited matter. For the evaluation of fractions of the labile metal species and the total dissolved metals, the untreated filtrates and the solutions resulting from their digestion, respectively, were passed through Dowex 50W-x4 cation exchange columns. The retrieval of the metals was completed using a 4.0 mol L⁻¹ solution of HCl. The described metal preconcentration and fractionation protocol offered the enrichment factor of 25 with detection limits equal to 22, 30, 92, 41, 70, 36 and 340 ng L⁻¹, respectively for Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni and Pb. Reasonably good precision and accuracy were attained.     

Kathodenstrahlpolarographische Bestimmung von Spurenelementen in Tetrachlorogolds?ure nach ionenaustausch-chromatographischer Trennung

Zusammenfassung Die kathodenstrahlpolarographische Bestimmung von Ni, Pb, Cu, Co, Fe, Mo, Te, Sn, Zn, Bi, Cd, Tl in Tetrachlorogoldsäure wird beschrieben. Die Nachweisgrenzen liegen im 10^–4%- bzw. 10^–5%-Bereich (Ni, Co, Mo). Die Spuren werden über einen Ionenaustauscher AG 1X8 untereinander und von der Matrix getrennt.

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Cathode-ray polarographic determination of trace elements in tetrachloroauric acid after separation by ion exchange

A method is described for the cathode-ray polarographic determination of traces of Ni, Pb, Cu, Co, Fe, Mo, Te, Sn, Zn, Bi, Cd, Tl in H(AuCl₄). Gold is separated from the trace metals by absorption on the strongly basic anion-exchange resin AG 1X8. The detection limits are within the ranges of 10^–4% and 10^–5% ((Ni, Co, Mo).

     

Extraction-flame atomic absorption determination of microtraces of copper, zinc, nickel, cobalt, manganese and iron in some alkali salts

Summary The microtrace content of Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, Mn and Fe in NaClO₄, KCl, KOH and KAl(SO₄)₂ · 12 H₂O is determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after preceding preconcentration of the traces using the extraction system PMBP/MIBK. It is proved that the salt matrix does not affect the quantitative extraction of the traces. The method permits the determination of the traces in the concentration range of 10^–3–10^–6% with good precision (variation coefficient 2–8%) and accuracy.

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Extraktions-Flammenatomabsorptions-Bestimmung von Mikrospuren von Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, Mn und Fe in Alkali-Salzen

Zusammenfassung Der Mikrospurengehalt von Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, Mn und Fe in NaClO₄, KCl, KOH, und KAl(SO₄)₂ · 12H₂O wurde durch Flammenatomabsorption nach Extraktionsanreicherung mit einer 1-Phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoylpyrazolon-5 (PMBP)-Lösung in MIBK bestimmt. Die Salz-Matrix weist keinen störenden Einflu\ auf die quantitative Extraktion der Elementspuren auf. Die Bestimmung der Spuren im Konzentrationsgebiet von 10^–3–10^–6% erfolgt mit guter PrÄzision (Variationskoeffizient 2–8%) und Richtigkeit.

     

Determination of trace metals in seawater by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with preconcentration on silica-immobilized 8-hydroxyquinoline in a flow-system

Summary A flow-system utilizing a miniature column packed with silica-immobilized 8-hydroxyquinoline (I-8-HOQ) was used for the preconcentration of Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Co from seawater prior to their determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). Enrichment factors sufficient to permit the analysis of an open ocean seawater reference material using 50 ml sample volumes (100 ml for Co determinations) were obtained. Recoveries of the above elements from seawater averaged 93% (range 87–97%) with absolute blanks ranging between 0.04 ng (Ni) and 4.0 ng (Fe). Estimated detection limits for these elements vary from 0.2 ng l^–1 (Co) to 40 ng l^–1 (Fe) based on a 50 ml sample volume (100 ml for Co).

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Bestimmung von Spurenmetallen in Meereswasser durch Graphitofen-AAS mit Anreicherung an Kieselgel-immobilisiertem 8-Hydroxychinolin in einem Durchflu\system

     

Amberlite XAD-7 impregnated with Xylenol Orange: a chelating collector for preconcentration of Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) and Fe(III) ions prior to their determination by flame AAS

A new chelating resin, Xylenol Orange coated Amberlite XAD-7, was prepared and used for preconcentration of Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Fe(III), Ni(II) and Zn(II) prior to their determination by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The optimum pH values for quantitative sorption of Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Fe(III), Ni(II) and Zn(II) are 4.5–5.0, 4.5, 4.0–5.0, 4.0, 5.0 and 5.0–7.0, respectively, and their desorptions by 2 mol L^–1 HCl are instantaneous. The sorption capacity of the resin has been found to be 2.0, 2.6, 1.6, 1.6, 2.6 and 1.8 mg g^–1 of resin for Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni and Zn, respectively. The tolerance limits of electrolytes, NaCl, NaF, NaI, NaNO₃, Na₂SO₄ and of cations, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ in the sorption of the six metal ions are reported. The preconcentration factor was between 50 and 200. The t_1/2 values for sorption are found to be 5.3, 2.9, 3.2, 3.3, 2.5 and 2.6 min for the six metals, respectively. The recoveries are between 96.0 and 100.0% for the different metals at preconcentration limits between 10 to 40 ng mL^–1. The preconcentration method has been applied to determine the six metal ions in river water samples after destroying the organic matter (if present in very large amount) with concentrated nitric acid (RSD ≤ 8%, except for Cd for which it is upto 12.6%) and cobalt content of vitamin tablets with RSD of ～ 3.0%.     

Kathodenstrahlpolarographische Bestimmung von Spurenelementen in Zinnchloriden

Zusammenfassung Eine Methode wird beschrieben, die die kathodenstrahlpolarographische Bestimmung von Spuren Ni, Pb, Mn, Co, Cu, Fe, Mo in Zinnchloriden in den Bereichen 10^–4% (Ni, Pb, Mn, Cu, Fe) und 10^–5% (Mo, Co) gestattet. Über den stark basischen Anionenaustauscher AG 1×8 wird das Zinn von den Spurenelementen getrennt.

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Cathode-ray polarographic determination of trace elements in tin chlorides

A method is described for the cathode-ray polarographic detemination of traces of Ni, Pb, Mn, Co, Cu, Fe, and Mo in tin chlorides. Tin is separated from the trace metals by ion exchange on the strong basic anion-exchange resin AG 1×8. The detection limits are within the ranges of 10^–4% and 10^–5%.

     

Multielement trace determinations in A12O3 ceramic powders by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with special reference to on-line trace preconcentration

The use of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for the determination of trace elements in Al₂O₃ powders is reported. Special interest is given to a preconcentration of the trace elements by on-line coupling of chromatography to ICP-MS. This is based on the complexation of Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ga, Mn, Ni, V and Zn with hexamethylene-dithiocarbamate (HMDC), their preconcentration on a C18 RP column by reversed phase liquid chromatography and their elution with CH₃OH-H₂O mixtures. A direct coupling of the HPLC system to the ICP-MS has been realized by high pressure pneumatic nebulization using desolvation. With the Chromatographie method developed, removal of the AI by at least 99% was achieved. For the trace elements V, Fe, Ni, Co, Cu and Ga, high and reproducible recoveries (ranging from 96–99%) were reached. The method developed has been shown to considerably enhance the power of detection as compared with direct procedures, namely down to 0.02–0.16 ( for V and Fe, respectively. The possibilities of the method are shown by the determinations of V, Mn, Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn and Ga at the μg/g level in A1₂O₃ powders. The accuracy of the method at the 0.06 to 9.0 level for Co and Fe, respectively, is demonstrated by a comparison with results of independent methods from the literature.     

Cellulose TETPA: a chelating collector designed for multielement preconcentration in flow systems

Summary A cellulose collector with immobilized triethylenetetraminepentaacetic acid (TETPA) groups has been developed for multielement preconcentration (e.g., Al, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe(III), In, Mn, Ni, Pb, Tl(III), U(VI), V(IV), Zn) using a low-pressure flow system. Analyte distribution coefficients K_d of the order of 10⁴–10⁵ ml/g (0.5 mol/l NaCl, pH 3–8) and fast exchange kinetics enable effective trace/matrix separations by means of small TETPA-filled (75 mg) columns even at high flow rates (contact time<1 s). Accordingly, recovery rates ranging from 88 (Tl(III)) to 99.5% (Ni), relative standard deviations s_r mostly between 1.5 and 4.0% (off-line determined by flame AAS) and blank levels (e.g., Cu, Fe, Zn) in the lower ng range (quantified by ETAAS) can be achieved. Metal-complexing dissolved organic substances (e.g. humic substances), however, considerably lower the recovery rates of some analytes (e.g., Cu, Fe, Ni). A series of water analyses (e.g., river, sea, bog water) prove the reliability of the developed flow-preconcentration system.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. V. Krivan on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Determination of Ni and Co using 2-quinolinethiol by adsorptive voltammetry

Summary A new method for the simultaneous determination of cobalt and nickel has been developed by differential pulse adsorptive voltammetry using 2-quinolinethiol as chelate. A separation of the two peaks by 0.3 V was achieved, allowing the determination of the two metals in a wide range of concentrations. The influence of pH, nature of the supporting electrolytes, preconcentration time and applied potential was investigated. Pb, Cd, Fe, Zn and Cr do not interfere. The determination limits were 10^–8 mol/l for Co and 10^–9 mol/l for Ni. The method was applied to mussel tissues and wines.     

Synthesis of amberlite XAD-2-PC resin for preconcentration and determination of trace elements in food samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A new chelating sorbent has been developed using Amberlite XAD-2 resin anchored with pyrocatechol through –N=C– group. This sorbent, characterised by elemental analysis and infrared (IR) spectra, was used as packing for the minicolumn in an on-line system preconcentration system for cadmium, cobalt, copper and nickel determination. Metal ions were sorbed in the minicolumn, from which it could be eluted directly to the nebulizer–burner system of the flame atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS). Elution of all metals from minicolumn can be made with 0.50 mol L^− 1 HCl or HNO₃. The enrichment factors obtained were 16 (Cd), 24 (Co), 15 (Cu) and 19 (Ni), for 60 s preconcentration time, and 39 (Cd), 69 (Co), 36 (Cu) and 41 (Ni), if used 180 s preconcentration time. Under the optimum conditions, the proposed procedure allowed the determination of cadmium, cobalt, copper and nickel with detection limits of 0.31, 0.32, 0.39 and 1.64 μg L^− 1, respectively, when used preconcentration periods of 180 s. The accuracy of the developed procedure was sufficient and evaluated by the analysis of the certified reference materials NIST 1515 apple leaves and NIST 1570a spinach leaves. The method was applied to the analysis of food samples (spinach, black tea and rice flour).     

Labile/inert metal species in aquatic humic substances: an ion-exchange study

Summary An ion-exchange procedure has been developed for the analytical fractionation of metals (e.g. Al, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) forming labile/inert complexes with aquatic humic substances (HS) isolated (XAD 2, XAD 8, ultrafiltration) from bog, forest, ground and lake water. Using 1-(2-hydroxyphenylazo)-2-naphthol groups immobilized on cellulose (Cellulose HYPHAN) as chelating collector (batch and column procedure, resp.) for reactive metal fractions in dissolved HS, the kinetics and the degree of separation (referred to the total metal content) serve for the operational characterization of the metal lability. According to the separation kinetics (96 h), mostly the reactivity order Mn>Zn>Co>Pb>Ni>CuAl>Fe is observed for the above metals in HS, resulting in recoveries of >98% for Mn and Zn, but strongly varying for the other metals (e.g., 44–95% Cu, 18–84% Fe). By means of cellulose HYPHAN four metal fractions (e.g. Cu) can be distinguished kinetically: (a) about 50% of Cu freshly complexed with HS are directly exchanged (2nd order kinetics, k=0.275 1 · mol^–1 · s^–1) followed by (b) a less labile fraction (20–30%) of 1st to 2nd order exchange; (c) a hardly reactive fraction (5–10%) revealing uniform half times t_1/2 of 25 h closes the Cu exchange from HS. Moreover the Cu fraction (d), being exchange-inert in HS, amounts to 5–10% and increases by slow transformation processes of the formed HS/Cu species.     

Cation-exchange separation and colorimetric determination of some elements in trace analysis of platinum-rhodium (10%) alloys

Summary A method of separation and colorimetric determination of trace amounts (10^–4–10^–5%) of Cu, Al, Fe, Bi, Pb, Mn, Cd, Zn, Co, and M in platinum-rhodium (10%) alloys has been developed. The elements to be determined are retained on a column containing the strongly acidic cation-exchanger Amberlite IR-120, from dilute hydrochloric acid medium (p_H 1–1.5), while platinum and rhodium pass through in the form of anionic chloride complexes. The individual metals are eluted and concentrated and then separated by extraction and carrier precipitation. The metals are determined by means of sensitive colorimetrie methods with dithizone (Cu, Bi, Pb, Cd, Zn), eriochromecyanine R (Al), 2-nitroso-1-naphthol (Co),-furildioxime (Ni), 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (Mn), and thiocyanate (Fe). The error of the determination does not exceed 15%.

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Zusammenfassung Eine Trennungs- und Bestimmungsmethode für Spuren (10^–4 bis 10^–5%) von Cu, Al, Fe, Bi, Pb, Mn, Cd, Zn, Co und Ni in PIatm-Rhodium-(10%)-Legierungen wurde ausgearbeitet.Die angeführten Elemente werden mit Amberlit IR-120 aus der verd. salzsauren Lösung (p_H 1 bis 1,5) von Platin und Rhodium getrennt, die als Anionchloridkomplexe im Eluat bleiben. Die einzelnen Metalle werden nach Elution aus ihrer Lösung durch Extraktion bzw. Mitfällung getrennt und kolorimetrisch mit Dithizon (Cu, Bi, Pb, Cd, Zn), Eriochromcyanin R (Al), 2-Nitroso-1-naphthol (Co),-Furildioxim (Ni), 1-(2-Pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (Mn) und Rhodanid (Fo) bestimmt. Der Fehler beträgt weniger als 15%,

     

Flow Analysis of Transition Metals by Thermal Lensing

The conditions for the flow determination of Al(III), Bi(III), Cd(II), Co(II), Cr(III), Cu(II), Fe(III), Mn(II), Nd(III), Ni(II), Pb(II), Pr(III), and Zn(II) by reaction with Xylenol Orange in aqueous solutions at pH 4.5 and the determination of Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Fe(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) by reaction with 4-(2-thiazolylazo)resorcinol in water–ethanol mixtures (5 : 1) at pH 5.0 using an injected sample volume of 80 L were proposed. The limits of detection were n × 10^–8–n × 10^–7 mol/L; the linearity ranges in the calibration graphs were of about three orders of magnitude; the relative standard deviation was of 3–7%.     

AAS determination of Co, Ni, Mn and Cr in ores, concentrates and dusts from copper metallurgy after matrix elements separation by extraction

Summary A method has been developed for the AAS determination of Co, Ni, Mn and Cr in ores, concentrates and dusts of copper metallurgy at the 10^–3–10^–1% level. The matrix elements (Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe) were separated in a two-stage extraction: with MIBK from 6 M HCl solution and with 0.1 M tetrahexylammonium iodide (THAI) in MIBK from 3 M HCl, in form of ion-pairs, without Co, Ni, Mn and Cr losses. Values of r.s.d. were 2.0–6.0%.

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AAS-Bestimmung von Co, Ni, Mn und Cr in Erzen, Konzentraten und Stäuben aus dem Bereich der Kupfermetallurgie nach Abtrennung der Matrixelemente durch Extraction

Zusammenfassung Das beschriebene Verfahren eignet sich für den Bereich von 10^–3 bis 10^–1%. Die Matrixelemente (Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe) wurden als Ionenpaare ohne Verluste an Co, Ni, Mn und Cr mit Hilfe einer zweistufigen Extraktion abgetrennt: mit MIBK aus 6 M HCl-Lösung und mit 0,1 M Tetrahexylammoniumiodid (THAI) in MIBK aus 3 M HCl-Lösung. Die relativen Stadardabweichungen lagen im Bereich von 2,0 bis 6,0%.

     

Direct analysis of Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> powders by total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

A direct analysis procedure for the determination of trace impurities of Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn and Ga in Al₂O₃ ceramic powders by total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (TXRF) is described. The powders were analysed in the form of slurries containing 1–10 mg mL^–1 of powder. The use of the procedure in the case of powders with differing grain size and for different slurry concentrations was investigated. Three different quantification possibilities were compared, namely the use of Al as a matrix component, the use of Fe as a trace element contained in the sample or of Co added in concentrations of 200 g g^–1 as internal standard. The homogeneity of elemental distributions in sample layers deposited on the TXRF quartz carriers by evaporating 5 L of the 10 mg mL^–1 slurries was studied by scanning the 4- to 5-mm-diameter spots of two samples by synchrotron radiation TXRF at Hasylab. For powders with differing graininess but mainly finer than about a few 10 m, no systematic influence of the grain size on the accuracy of the determinations of Ca, V, Fe, Ni, Cu and Zn could be observed. The measurement precision, however, seemed to be limited by inhomogeneous distributions of the trace elements in the samples as testified by the synchrotron radiation TXRF scans. Detection limits of the developed TXRF procedure for Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn and Ga were found to be in the 0.3–7 g g^–1 range and were shown to increase slightly with the grain size of the samples. Quantification using Al (matrix) as internal standard led to systematically higher values out of the accuracy required, whereas the other two approaches in all cases led to reliable results.Dedicated to the memory of Wilhelm Fresenius     

Amberlite XAD-7 impregnated with Xylenol Orange: a chelating collector for preconcentration of Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) and Fe(III) ions prior to their determination by flame AAS

A new chelating resin, Xylenol Orange coated Amberlite XAD-7, was prepared and used for preconcentration of Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Fe(III), Ni(II) and Zn(II) prior to their determination by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The optimum pH values for quantitative sorption of Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Fe(III), Ni(II) and Zn(II) are 4.5-5.0, 4.5, 4.0-5.0, 4.0, 5.0 and 5.0-7.0, respectively, and their desorptions by 2 mol L(-1) HCl are instantaneous. The sorption capacity of the resin has been found to be 2.0, 2.6, 1.6, 1.6, 2.6 and 1.8 mg g(-1) of resin for Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni and Zn, respectively. The tolerance limits of electrolytes, NaCl, NaF, NaI, NaNO3, Na2SO4 and of cations, Mg2+ and Ca2+ in the sorption of the six metal ions are reported. The preconcentration factor was between 50 and 200. The t1/2 values for sorption are found to be 5.3, 2.9, 3.2, 3.3, 2.5 and 2.6 min for the six metals, respectively. The recoveries are between 96.0 and 100.0% for the different metals at preconcentration limits between 10 to 40 ng mL(-1). The preconcentration method has been applied to determine the six metal ions in river water samples after destroying the organic matter (if present in very large amount) with concentrated nitric acid (RSD < or = 8%, except for Cd for which it is upto 12.6%) and cobalt content of vitamin tablets with RSD of approximately 3.0%.     

Use of high resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry as a detector for chemically generated noble and transition metal vapors

Vapor generation and atomization conditions in a heated quartz tube to detect Ag, Cd, Co, Cu, Ni and Zn using High Resolution Continuum Source AAS (HRCSAAS), were optimized. Vapors were generated after mixing acidified solutions containing 8-hydroxiquinoline (oxine) with sodium tetrahydroborate. Afterwards, they were swept to the heated quartz cell by an argon flow.Reaction loop size and temperature of the quartz cell were optimized for each element. A temperature of 960 °C was selected as a compromise value to detect most of the metals. Afterwards, a Plackett–Burmann design was proposed to select which parameters were most important. Type of acid and its concentration were the most statistical significant variables. Optimum conditions for sequential detection of Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn were: 1 mg L^− 1 Co as catalyst, 250 mg L^− 1 oxine, 0.6 M nitric acid, 1.75% (w/w) sodium tetrahydroborate (prepared in 0.4 (w/v)% NaOH), a reaction loop of 250 µL, and a 25 L h^− 1 carrier Ar flow. Ag and Co were each detected in their own optimized conditions. Analytical performance of the system was evaluated in connection with a selected pixel number, and spectral correction was used to eliminate NO absorption bands interference in Zn detection. Detection limits were in the range of 1.5–18 μg L^− 1 for Ag, Cu, Cd and Zn, whereas sensitivity was worst for Co (169 μg L^− 1) and Ni (586 μg L^− 1). Atomization in a quartz cell of Co and Ni volatile species, generated by an addition of sodium tetrahydroborate to an acidified solution of the analytes, was reported for the first time in this paper. Precision expressed as RSD(%) had values lower than 10% except for Ni.     

On-Line Multielement Preconcentration and Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometric Determination of Transition Metals Using a Flow Injection Hydraulic High-Pressure Nebulization–Desolvation Sample Introduction System

A method was developed for simultaneous preconcentration and on-line determination of 15 transition metals (Ag, Au, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, In, Ni, Pb, Pd, Pt, Ti, Tl, V, Zn). A polyether–ether–ketone (PEEK) loop as preconcentration unit introduced by us earlier was used for the multielement flow injection (FI) preconcentration of transition metal–pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate complexes. The preconcentrated complexes were eluted with isobutylmethyl ketone and introduced into the inductively coupled plasma with a hydraulic high-pressure nebulizer (HHPN) and desolvation unit. The desolvation system, the use of which was necessary for aerosol of isobutylmethyl ketone eluant, was optimized. The enrichment factors of the 15 transition metals were 14–67 due to 2 min of preconcentration time.     

Organically modified silica gel and flame atomic absorption spectrometry: employment for separation and preconcentration of nine trace heavy metals for their determination in natural aqueous systems

A 5-formyl-3-(1′-carboxyphenylazo) salicylic acid-bonded silica gel (FCPASASG) chelating adsorbent was synthesized according to a very simple and rapid one step reaction between aminopropyl silica gel (APSG) and 5-formyl-3-(1′-carboxyphenylazo) salicylic acid (FCPASA) and its adsorption characteristics were studied in details. Nine trace metals viz.: Cd(II), Zn(II), Fe(III), Cu(II), Pb(II), Mn(II), Cr(III), Co(II) and Ni(II) can be quantitatively adsorbed by the adsorbent from natural aqueous systems at pH 7.0–8.0. The adsorbed metal ions can be readily desorbed with 1 M HNO₃ or 0.05 M Na₂EDTA. The distribution coefficient, K_d and the percentage concentration of the investigated metal ions on the adsorbent at equilibrium, C_M,_eqm % (Recovery, R%) were studied as a function of experimental parameters. The logarithmic values of the distribution coefficient, logK_d, are 3.7–6.4. Some foreign ions caused little interference in the preconcentration and determination of the investigated nine metals by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS).The adsorption capacity of FCPASASG was 0.32–0.43 meq g⁻¹. C and N elemental analyses of the adsorbent (FCPASASG) allowed us to calculate a surface converge of 0.82 mmol g⁻¹. This value compares well with the best values reported for the azo compounds. The adsorbent and its formed metal chelates were characterized by IR (absorbance and/or reflectance) and UV spectrometry, potentiometric titrations and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA and DTG). The mode of chelation between the FCPASASG adsorbent and the investigated metal ions is proposed to be due to reaction of those metal ions with the salicylic and/or the carboxyphenylazo chelation centers of the FCPASASG adsorbent. Nanogram concentrations (0.07–0.14 ng ml⁻¹) of Cd(II), Zn(II), Fe(III), Pb(II), Cr(III), Mn(II), Cu(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) can be determined reliably with a preconcentration factor of 100.