Determination of trace metals in water using x-ray fluorescence spectrometry.

A simple, rapid and accurate method for water analysis is proposed. The analytical procedure for the determination of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd, As, Pb and Se in water in concentrations as low as a few ppM involves precipitation with a carrier of the metals by diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) or 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN) and filitration through a Millipore filter. The precipitates collected on the filter disc are examined by X-ray fluorescence analysis. PAN is excellent for the determination of several metal ions at the ppM level, and DDTC can be used with tartrate as a masking agent if water samples contain large amounts of iron(III).