AWWA JAW22504

The use of electrothermal vaporization devices (ETV) to introduce analytes into inductively coupled plasma (ICP) for determination by atomic emission spectroscopy (AES) provides detection limits in picograms but requires solution concentrations higher than nanogram-per-liter levels. Determination of metal concentrations lower than nanograms per liter requires a preconcentration step. The method of controlled potential electrodeposition of metals into mercury film on glassy carbon electrodes for ETV-ICP-AES is described. The method can be used for simultaneous multielemental determination of trace and ultratrace concentrations of metals in water. Modification and optimization of the technique are discussed. Also included are the results of determinations of eight trace elements. Includes 33 references, tables, figures.