Determination of trace heavy metals in waters by atomic-absorption spectrometry after preconcentration by liquid-phase polymer-based retention.

A new method for the determination of metals in waters by flame atomic-absorption spectrometry is described. The metals are retained by water-soluble polymers in a membrane filtration cell and the factors which influence their determination are discussed. The method has been applied to the determination of Ni, Cu, Zn, Hg and Cd in drinking and river water with poly(ethyleneimine) and its thiourea derivative as complexing polymers. The metals were determined in the aqueous concentrate after a 250-fold preconcentration by 2% polymer solution at pH 7. The metal recoveries were at least 92%, and the limits of detection (ng/mg) were 0.012 for Cu, 0.006 for Zn, 0.03 for Ni, 0.004 for Cd and 0.0001 for Hg (cold vapour method). When a new type of membrane filtration cell is used even higher preconcentration factors can be achieved and lower concentrations can be determined.