Spectrophotometric and atomic absorption determination of Ni(II) in fresh and sea waters after preconcentration by flotation

A highly selective and sensitive procedure for flotation separation followed by spectrophotometric determination, confirmed by AAS, of Ni(II) traces is proposed. The maximum flotation separation (100%) is achieved at approximately 25 degrees C in the pH range of 1-3 using sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (as a collector) and oleic acid surfactant. The floated (1 : 2) colored complex is measured spectrophotometrically at 430 nm over a concentration range of 0.5-4.0 microg/g with a molar absorptivity of 0.44 x 10(4) L mol(-1) cm(-1). The procedure was successfully applied for the separation and determination of Ni(II) in fresh and sea waters.