Rainwater analysis: A comparison between proton-induced X-ray emission and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy

Journal Article · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Environmental Science and Technology; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00170a007· OSTI ID:5298237

Hansson, H C; Ekholm, A K.P.; Ross, H B ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Lund (Sweden)

Rainwater was collected and analyzed for trace metals by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS) and proton-induced x-ray emission (PIXE). For the PIXE analysis, a nonselective preconcentration technique was used to dry the samples onto polystyrene films. Good agreement was found in the concentrations for the elements determined in common (Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn), even though the PIXE analysis had some problems with sample contamination. An advantage of the PIXE analysis is that 26 elements can be determined simultaneously. The elements P, S, K, Ca, V, Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn, As, Br, and Pb had concentrations significantly higher than the chemical blank and detection limits and thus could be routinely analyzed by PIXE. The technique is promising for the other elements Ti, Cr, Co, Cu, Ga, Ge, Se, Rb, and Sr because considerable improvements in detection limits can be achieved by lowering the content of the blank and by increasing the analysis time.

• OSTI ID: 5298237
• Journal Information: Environmental Science and Technology; (USA), Journal Name: Environmental Science and Technology; (USA) Vol. 22:5; ISSN ESTHA; ISSN 0013-936X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400102* -- Chemical & Spectral Procedures
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ARSENIC
BROMINE
CALCIUM
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHROMIUM
COBALT
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COPPER
ELEMENTS
GALLIUM
HALOGENS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IRON
LEAD
MANGANESE
MEASURING METHODS
METALS
MULTI-ELEMENT ANALYSIS
NICKEL
NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS
NONMETALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHORUS
PIXE ANALYSIS
POTASSIUM
RAIN WATER
RUBIDIUM
SELENIUM
SEMIMETALS
SPECTROSCOPY
STRONTIUM
SULFUR
TITANIUM
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VANADIUM
WATER
X-RAY EMISSION ANALYSIS
ZINC