Atomic absorption determination of Hg (II), Cd (II), and As (III) in natural and waste water after preliminary group preconcentration

Abstract

The sorption of Hg (II), Cd (II), and As (III) by natural aluminosilicate is studied. It is shown that the mineral absorbs those toxicants in a rather wide pH range, quantitative extraction of analytes being achieved in a neutral or close to neutral medium (pH values range within 7.0 - 8.0; 6.3 - 7.5; 7.4 - 8.5 for Hg (II), As (III), and Cd (II), respectively). The effect of the time of phase contact on the degree of extraction of elements is shown. The sorption capacity of the mineral in optimal conditions of the medium acidity (0.06 mmol/g for mercury, 0.31 mmol/g for cadmium, and 0.52 mmol/g for arsenic) is determined. The distribution coefficients attain values of about n X 10³ - n X 10⁴. A new combined method for determination of Hg (II), Cd (II), and As (III) in natural and waste water is developed and tested. The method consists in a preliminary group sorption concentration of the analytes by aluminosilicate, desorption of the analytes from the surface of the mineral and their subsequent atomic absorption determination. The correctness of the method is verified in analysis of spiked samples. The method is easy to use and exhibits high sensitivity, reproducibility and accuracy of analyte determination. The relative standard deviation does not exceed 0.13. Economic availability and possibility of using domestic sorption materials are the important advantages of the proposed procedure which can be used in the practice of laboratories monitoring the quality and safety of environmental objects.