Preconcentration by dithiocarbamate extraction for determination of trace elements in natural waters by inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

Preconcentration by dithiocarbamate extraction into 2-ethylhexyl acetate for simultaneous determination of trace elements in natural water is described. After 250-fold concentration, the organic phase is used directly for inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Thirteen elements (As, Se, Mo, Zn, Cd, Ni, Co, Sn, Fe, Cr(VI), Pb, V and Cu) are simultaneously concentrated at pH 4.3 with the combination of ammonium tetramethylenedithiocarbamate and dibenzylammonium dibenzyldithiocarbamate and are determined in the extract; Mn and Cr(III) are also determined after preconcentration at pH 6.9 with the same chelating agents. Lake waters are analyzed by this method.