Determination of cobalt,molybdenum and vanadium in austrian mineral waters by ICP-AES after ion-exchange separation and preconcentration

A method is described for the determination of cobalt, molybdenum and vanadium in mineral water samples by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) after separation of these elements from the matrix by ion exchange. The samples are acidified with concentrated hydrochloric acid (10 ml/l) and the elements are adsorbed as thiocyanate complexes. Elution is performed with a mixture 2M in perchloric acid and 1M in hydrochloric acid and subsequently with 1M hydrochloric acid. After evaporation of the eluates and dissolution of the residue the volume of the measuring solution for ICP-AES is 10 ml. The recoveries for Co, Mo and V at a concentration level of 1 g/1 in mineral waters were approximately 99%. A concentration factor of 100 is achieved by this procedure.