Abstract

A preconcentration system for multi-element electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry was developed with a microcolumn packed with a chelating resin. The proposed method was applied successfully to the simultaneous determination of Co, Ni and Cu in seawater. A sample volume of 2 ml was required for the analysis. Retention of metal ions as a complex on the microcolumn was achieved by using Muromac A-1 (7 µl) as the chelating resin; 20% HNO₃ (50 µl) was then used for elution. The eluate was injected directly into the graphite furnace. The simple calibration curve method was used. The detection limits and relative process standard deviations of this method were 1.5 × 10⁻⁴, 4.8 × 10⁻⁴ and 1.2 × 10⁻³ µg l⁻¹, and 4.3, 4.8 and 9.9% for Co, Ni and Cu, respectively. The accuracy of the method was confirmed by the analysis of two certified reference saline waters.