Application of a poly(dithiocarbamate) resin with macroreticular support to the determination of trace amounts of cadmium and lead in non-saline waters.

The chelating poly(dithiocarbamate) resin with macroreticular support is shown to be effective for the preconcentration of cadmium and lead from non-saline waters. The retained ions can be eluted efficiently in 5 ml of 8 mol dm-3 nitric acid from 1-20 cm columns of resin. Poly(dithiocarbamate) resin is used for preconcentration in the determination of cadmium and lead by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The common ions present in non-saline waters do not interfere. The sensitivity was 0.10 micrograms l-1 of Cd and 0.73 micrograms l-1 of Pb. The detection limits were 0.03 and 0.34 micrograms l-1 for Cd and Pb, respectively. The cadmium and lead concentration rages, determined in mineral and tap waters, were between 0.1 and 0.8 micrograms l-1 and between 0.7 and 16.9 micrograms l-1, respectively.