Determination of trace elements in rainwater by total-reflection X-ray fluorescence

Journal Article · Sun Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Anal. Chem.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ac00291a031· OSTI ID:6445572

Stoessel, R P; Prange, A

Three quasi-independent analytical procedures for the determination of trace elements in rainwater are presented, which are based on total-reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF), a special variant of energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence. The three sample preparation techniques compared are (1) direct analysis, (2) preenrichment of the trace elements in rainwater by freeze-drying and redissolution in dilute nitric acid, and (3) a matrix removal and preconcentration procedure by metal chelation, chromatographic adsorption of the metal complexes, and subsequent elution of the metal chelates prior to TXRF measurement. The elements determined are S, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Pb, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Cd, and Ba. For a measuring time of 1000 s, detection limits down to 5-20 ng/L were achieved for the heavy-metal traces. The limits are slightly higher for iron, nickel, copper, zinc, and lead because of fluctuations in the blan values. The procedures were tested on rainwater samples from the Island of Pellworm (German Bight) containing comparatively low trace-metal contents. Systematic investigations for the characterization of the analytical procedures with regard to blanks, detection limits, precision, and accuracy are described and discussed. The accuracy was checked by independent analyses of duplicate samples using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (KFA Juelich). 17 references, 4 figures, 2 tables.

• Research Organization: GKSS-Forschungszentrum, Geesthacht GmbH, West Germany
• OSTI ID: 6445572
• Journal Information: Anal. Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: Anal. Chem.; (United States) Vol. 57:14; ISSN ANCHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400103* -- Radiometric & Radiochemical Procedures-- (-1987)
520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ADSORPTION
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ARSENIC
BARIUM
CADMIUM
CALCIUM
CHELATES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHROMIUM
COBALT
COMPLEXES
COPPER
DATA
ELEMENTS
ELUTRIATION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INFORMATION
INORGANIC ACIDS
IRON
LEAD
LYOPHILIZATION
MANGANESE
MATRIX ISOLATION
METALS
MOLYBDENUM
NICKEL
NITRIC ACID
NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS
NONMETALS
NUMERICAL DATA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POTASSIUM
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
RAIN WATER
RUBIDIUM
SAMPLE PREPARATION
SELENIUM
SEMIMETALS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SORPTION
STRONTIUM
SULFUR
TITANIUM
TRACE AMOUNTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
VANADIUM
WATER
X-RAY EMISSION ANALYSIS
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS
ZINC