Multi-Element Determination of Trace Elements in Seawater by Gallium Coprecipitation and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Multi-element determination of trace elements in seawater by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has been investigated. Coprecipitation with gallium hydroxide was used for preconcentration of trace elements and elimination of matrix elements. Most trace elements were quantitatively collected at pH 10 with the concentration factor of 10. In the present experimental method, 17 elements (Al, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Y, Zr, Sn, La, Pb, Th, U) in a coastal seawater sample could be determined by ICP-MS. In addition, 6 elements (Al, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn) among them were determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The analytical results obtained by ICP-MS and ICP-AES were in fair agreement.