Stability of metal ions in aqueous environmental samples

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976 · Natl. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), Spec. Publ.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7230728

Rattonetti, A

The time lapse between the collection of aqueous environmental samples and the analysis affects the original ionic concentration. Studies have proven the nonionic species in a water sample have more of an effect on the veracity of an analysis than the ''container wall'' effect, and that adjustment to a pH of 2 at sample collection time is a ''Pyrrhic victory.'' Lead, for example, will commonly increase an order of magnitude when unfiltered samples are adjusted to a pH of 2 upon collection. This effect is greatest when elemental ions are present in the ng ml/sup -1/ range and lessens as the original ionic concentration increases. Data are presented that behooves filtration of stream water and rainwater samples prior to any acidification step. The need to acidify the resulting filtrate is also discussed. Lithium, sodium, potassium, cesium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, manganese, iron, copper, silver, zinc, cadmium, aluminum, indium, and lead are examined. The insoluble phase retained on the filter can be digested with acid and also analyzed. The separate analysis of the filtrate and filter will give a true representation of the occurrence of these metals in nature. Flame and flameless atomic aborption and emission are used to perform the trace analyses.

• Research Organization: Illinois State Water Survey, Urbana
• OSTI ID: 7230728
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Natl. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), Spec. Publ.; (United States) Journal Volume: 1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400104* -- Spectral Procedures-- (-1987)
500200 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ALUMINIUM
CADMIUM
CALCIUM
CESIUM
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
COPPER
ELEMENTS
EMISSION SPECTROSCOPY
FILTRATION
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INDIUM
IRON
LEAD
LITHIUM
MAGNESIUM
MANGANESE
METALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POTASSIUM
RAIN WATER
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SILVER
SODIUM
SPECTROSCOPY
STRONTIUM
TRACE AMOUNTS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WATER
ZINC