Flame atomic absorption analysis for selenium after electrochemical preconcentration

Selenium(IV) is determined in the presence of 3.5% sodium chloride by electrochemical preconcentration on a platinum spiral, prior to flame atomic absorption analysis. The electrodeposition is carried out in the presence of hydrazine dihydrochloride to prevent the generation of chlorine at the counter electrode; chlorine oxidizes selenium(IV) to the non-reducible selenium(VI) ion. A detection limit of 5 ppb and an electrolysis efficiency of 10% were obtained for a 25-ml sample and a 5-min electrolysis time. The absolute detection limit was 10 ng.