Solid-phase extraction of ultratrace uranium(VI) in natural waters using octadecyl silica membrane disks modified by tri-n-octylphosphine oxide and its spectrophotometric determination with dibenzoylmethane.

A simple and reliable method for rapid extraction and determination of uranium in natural waters using octadecyl-bonded silica membrane disks modified with tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) and spectrophotometry with dibenzoylmethane is presented. Extraction efficiency and the influence of sample matrix, type, and optimum amount of extractant, flow rates, and type and minimum amount of organic eluent were evaluated. The maximal capacity of the membrane disks modified by 50 mg of TOPO was found to be 4033 micrograms of uranium. The limit of detection of the proposed method is 100 ng/1000 mL. The method was applied to the extraction and determination of uranium in natural waters.