Simple semiquantitative determination of trace metal ions by use of reagent gel columns-II: determination of zinc with dithizone gel

Zinc(II) at the sub-ppm level was determined by using a column, packed with gel beads containing dithizone. The beads turned from green to pink when the sample solution containing zinc was passed through the column at pH 6.2. Various interfering cations were masked by the combined use of sodium thiosulphate, alpha'alpha-bipyridyl, hydroxylamine hydrochloride, N,N'-bis(beta-hydroxyethyl) dithiocarbamate and beta-dithiocarbaminopropionic acid. The length of the pink zone was proportional to the amount of zinc in the sample. With 0.01% dithizone gel, as little as 0.01 ppm of zinc could be determined in a 10-ml sample at a flow rate of 0.2 ml min .