Potentiometric stripping analysis for zinc,cadmium. lead and copper in sea water

Analytical procedures for the determination of zinc(II), cadmium (II), lead(II) and copper(II) in sea water by potentiometric stripping analysis are described. The results are compared with those obtained by a combined solvent extraction-atomic absorption method both in the laboratory and on-board ship. The detection limits for zinc, cadmium, lead and copper are 0.03, 0.03, 0.01 and 0.02 μg l^-1, respectively, for a total analysis time of about 75 min. A very thin mercury film is useful in the determination of lead and copper.