Determination of organic carbon in natural water with inductively coupled plasma/atomic emission spectrometry after evaporation of inorganic carbon

The performance of a continuous flow system interfaced with a sequential inductively coupled plasma/atomic emission spectrometer (ICP/AES) was evaluated for the determination of organic carbon in water. Optimal conditions for evaporation of carbonates before determination or organic carbon was established and working ranges were determined. The method applied for the determination of organic carbon in natural water was compared to determinations made by an elemental analyzer.