Determination of zinc levels in waters from southeastern Spain by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry: relationship with industrial activity

• Published in: Water research (Oxford) Vol. 36; no. 7; pp. 1912 - 1916
• Main Authors: TERRES-MARTOS, C, NAVARRO-ALARCON, M, MARTIN-LAGOS, F, GIMENEZ-MARTINEZ, R, DE LA SERRANA, H. Lopez-Garcia, LOPEZ-MARTINEZ, M. C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2002; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Absorption (material); Acidification; Analysis methods; Analytical chemistry; Applied sciences; Atomic absorption analysis; Chemistry; Drinking water; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Electrochemistry; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; ETAAS; Exact sciences and technology; Human and industrial activity; Industrial Waste - analysis; Industry; Irrigation; Natural water pollution; Pollution; Pollution, environment geology; Recovery; Reliability; Reproducibility; Reproducibility of Results; Sea water; Sensitivity and Specificity; Spain; Spectrometric and optical methods; Spectrophotometry, Atomic - methods; Spectroscopy; Temperature; Time Factors; Tubes; Wastes; Water - chemistry; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water treatment and pollution; Waters; Zinc; Zinc - analysis; Europe; Spain; Spain, Andalucia, Granada; Zinc; Waters; ETAAS; Human and industrial activity; Chemical analysis; Human activity; Water analysis; Industrial waste water; Water pollution; Waste water discharge; Heavy metal; Atomic absorption spectrometry
• ISSN: 0043-1354; 1879-2448
• DOI: 10.1016/S0043-1354(01)00373-6

An efficient method for the determination of nanogram levels of zinc in waters (potable, irrigation, waste and sea waters) is described. Acidified water samples were analyzed by an accurately optimized time/temperature program for electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The samples were previously treated with a matrix modifier consisting of 0.1% Mg(NO 3) 2 in 0.5 M HNO 3 and injected through a graphite tube with L’Vov platform. Sample recoveries, repeteability, and analyses of NIST reference material demonstrated the reliability and accuracy of this technique. Zinc concentrations ranged from 2.0 to 73.0 μg l −1. No significant differences among the mean zinc levels determined in the four types of water considered from southeastern Spain were found. Zinc concentrations in waters from the zone were not affected by human and industrial activity.