Simultaneous determination of Cu, Cd and Pb in drinking-water using W-Coil AAS

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Spectroscopy
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Traditional atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) can be expensive and complex.
• Developing cost-effective and efficient analytical instruments is crucial for widespread environmental monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an inexpensive, multi-element atomic absorption spectrometer for simultaneous elemental analysis.
• To utilize readily available materials for key components, reducing instrument cost.

Main Methods:

• Developed a W-coil atomic absorption spectrometer using slide projector bulb filaments for atomization.
• Employed a computer-controlled CCD spectrometer as the detector and a multi-element hollow cathode lamp (Cu, Cd, Pb) as the source.
• Analyzed 20 µL water samples atomized at approximately 2200°C on the W-coil.

Main Results:

• Successfully determined copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) simultaneously in tap water, drinking water, and a quality control sample.
• Achieved instrument detection limits of 0.8 µg/L for Cu, 0.2 µg/L for Cd, and 3.0 µg/L for Pb.
• The developed system demonstrated minimal power requirements (120V AC, 15A).

Conclusions:

• The developed W-coil atomic absorption spectrometer is a cost-effective and efficient system for multi-element analysis.
• This instrument offers a viable solution for simultaneous determination of key heavy metals in water samples.
• The use of readily available materials and low power consumption makes it suitable for various analytical applications.