Determination of trace elements in water, sea water and biological samples by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry after pre-concentration with ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate precipitation

Abstract

A method has been developed for the determination of trace elements in water and biological samples by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry after pre-concentration with ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate [ammonium tetramethylenedithiocarbamate (APDC)] precipitation. The biological samples were decomposed under pressure with a mixture of nitric and perchloric acids. The optimum conditions used for the pre-concentration were as follows: the acidity of the sample solutions, prepared by the decomposition method, and of the water samples, 2%V/V HClO₄; and APDC solution added for precipitation, 2 ml of 8%m/V. Quantitative recoveries for Cd, Co, Cu, Pb, Mo and Ni were achieved. The method has been applied to the determination of trace elements in water, sea water and National Bureau of Standards biological standard reference materials. Good agreement is achieved between the data obtained with the proposed method and literature values.