Multi-element detection in sea water using preconcentration procedure and EDXRF technique

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Marine Chemistry

Background:

• Accurate detection of trace elements in seawater is crucial for environmental monitoring.
• Traditional methods may lack sensitivity or require complex sample preparation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize and validate an Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) method for trace element analysis in seawater.
• To establish detection limits and assess the accuracy of the optimized EDXRF technique.

Main Methods:

• Seawater samples were pre-concentrated using ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDC) and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK).
• Pre-concentrated samples were analyzed using EDXRF after drying onto a mylar substrate.
• Instrument calibration was performed using multi-element standards in synthetic seawater.

Main Results:

• The EDXRF method was calibrated for 11 elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Ga, Pb, Se, Sc, V, Zn) up to 200 ppb.
• Achieved detection limits ranged from 5.1 ppb (Co) to 70 ppb (Cd).
• Analysis of Thane creek seawater showed results comparable to Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP AES).

Conclusions:

• The optimized EDXRF method provides a sensitive and accurate approach for trace element determination in seawater.
• This technique is suitable for environmental monitoring of marine water bodies.
• The method's accuracy was validated against ICP AES, confirming its reliability.