Determination of Copper in Mineral Waters from Galicia, Spain, by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry Using Preconcentration with Diethyldithiocarbamate Loaded on Silica Gel

Solid phase extraction using sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) loaded on silica gel has been used for preconcentration of trace amounts of copper from commercial mineral waters prior to its determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The sorption and releasing of copper have been studied under both static and dynamic conditions. A short shaking time is required for quantitative sorption using the batch method, and a high flow-rate (6 ml min⁻¹) can be used in the column method due to the fast sorption and desorption kinetics. The copper concentration found in several mineral waters from Galicia (Spain) ranged from 8.4 to 23.8 μg L⁻¹. There were no significant differences between the solid-phase extraction method and the conventional solvent extraction method which uses DDC as chelating agent.