Determination of dissolved sulphide in groundwaters by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

Abstract

A rapid and simple inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometric (ICP-AES) technique for the determination of dissolved sulphide at the parts per billion level in groundwater is described. Sulphide is stabilised on sampling by the addition of KOH, converted into H₂S under acidic conditions and stripped from solution in a gas-liquid separator by a stream of argon. Sulphur emission intensity is monitored at 180.7 nm. Dissolved sulphate does not interfere and spectral interference from calcium is avoided.