An analytical method of ultra-trace tellurium for samples of sea- and environmental-water

This paper presents a method for the concentration of tellurium in sulfhydral cotton fiber. The mechanism of Te-Re catalytic polarographic behaviour has been studied. The optimal conditions of systems are proposed. An analytical procedure of preconcentration with sulfhydral cotton fiber and catalytic polarographic determination of ultra-trace tellurium is presented. This method exhibits good selectivity and is simple and easy. It is also one o;f the most sensitive analytical methods of tellurium at present. The procedure is demonstrated successfully for the determination of background levels of tellurium in a variety of natural water. This is the first reported determination of tellurium in sea water, filling a gap in the literature of oceanic geochemistry. It was found that the content of tellurium in South China sea water is 8 X 10(-10) g/l, that in East China sea water is 4-7 X 10(-10) g/l.