Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026
10:44
Clean Sampling and Analysis of River and Estuarine Waters for Trace Metal Studies
Published on: July 1, 2016
Determination of lead by on-line solid phase extraction using a PTFE micro-column and flame atomic absorption
George A Zachariadis1, Aristidis N Anthemidis, Peter G Bettas
1Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece.
Talanta
|October 31, 2008
Summary
A new flow injection method rapidly determines lead using on-line preconcentration with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). This sensitive technique offers accurate lead analysis in environmental samples.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Accurate determination of lead (Pb) in environmental samples is crucial for public health and ecological monitoring.
- Traditional methods for lead analysis often require extensive sample preparation and can lack sensitivity.
- Developing rapid and sensitive analytical techniques for lead is an ongoing challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a rapid and sensitive flow injection (FI) method for the on-line preconcentration and determination of lead (Pb).
- To utilize polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as a packing material in a micro-column for lead preconcentration.
- To evaluate the method's performance using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and its applicability to environmental samples.
Main Methods:
- A flow injection (FI) system was designed for on-line preconcentration of lead.
- Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) turnings were used as a hydrophobic micro-column packing material.
- Lead was complexed with ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (APDC) and preconcentrated at pH 1.4-3.2.
- The preconcentrated lead complex was eluted with isobutyl methyl ketone (IBMK) and analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS).
- A nested coil (NC) was employed to manage elution and nebulization flow rates.
Main Results:
- The method achieved a sample frequency of 15 samples per hour with a 180-second preconcentration time.
- An enhancement factor of 330 was obtained at a sample flow rate of 13.0 ml min(-1).
- The detection limit was 0.8 µg l(-1), with a relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) of 2.6% at 30 µg l(-1).
- Linear calibration was observed over the concentration range of 1.6-100 µg l(-1).
Conclusions:
- The developed flow injection method with PTFE micro-column preconcentration is rapid, sensitive, and accurate for lead determination.
- The method demonstrated successful application in analyzing certified reference materials (water, sediments, fish tissue).
- The technique is suitable for the analysis of lead in various complex environmental samples.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:21Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Lab
For AAS measurements, samples must be introduced as clear solutions, often requiring extensive preliminary treatment to dissolve materials like soils, animal tissues, and minerals. Common methods for sample preparation include treatment with hot mineral acids, wet ashing, combustion in closed containers, high-temperature ashing, or fusion with reagents.
Solutions containing organic solvents, such as low-molecular-mass alcohols, esters, or ketones, enhance absorbances by increasing nebulizer...
Solutions containing organic solvents, such as low-molecular-mass alcohols, esters, or ketones, enhance absorbances by increasing nebulizer...
01:29Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Lab
AES is a powerful analytical technique, especially effective when used with plasma sources, producing abundant spectra in characteristic emission lines. The Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), in particular, yields superior quantitative analytical data due to its high stability, low noise, low background, and minimal interferences under optimal experimental conditions. However, newer air-operated microwave sources are emerging as promising alternatives that could be more cost-effective than...
01:25Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Atomization Methods
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) atomizes samples through flame atomization or electrothermal atomization. Flame atomization typically involves a nebulizer and spray chamber assembly to combine the sample with a fuel–oxidant mixture, creating a fine aerosol mist that enters a burner. Typically, the fuel and oxidant are combined in an approximately stoichiometric ratio. However, for atoms that are easily oxidized, a fuel-rich mixture may be more advantageous. Only about 5% of the aerosol...
01:16Flame Photometry: Lab
In a flame photometer, when a solution like potassium chloride is aspirated into the flame, the solvent evaporates, leaving behind dehydrated salt. This salt dissociates into free gaseous atoms in their ground state. Some of these atoms absorb energy from the flame, leading to their excitation. The excited atoms return to the ground state, emitting photons at characteristic wavelengths. Because only electronic transitions are involved, the resulting emission lines are very narrow. The intensity...
01:02Flame Photometry: Overview
Flame photometry, also known as flame emission spectrometry, is a technique used for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of elements present in a sample using a flame as the source of excitation energy. The concept of flame photometry was realized in the early 1860s by Kirchhoff and Bunsen, who discovered that specific elements emit characteristic radiation when excited in flames. The first instrument developed for this purpose was used to measure sodium (Na) in plant ash using a Bunsen...
01:19Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Principle
Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is the most widely used plasma source in atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), also known as Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The ICP source, or torch, consists of three concentric quartz tubes with argon gas flowing through them. A spark from a Tesla coil initiates the ionization of argon, generating a high-temperature plasma.
The ions and electrons produced interact with the fluctuating magnetic field created by a water-cooled...
The ions and electrons produced interact with the fluctuating magnetic field created by a water-cooled...