Determination of Heavy Metals in Environment

Abstract

Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) have been used to determine heavy metals in environmental samples. After the pretreatment of sample such as the digestion with acids, the solvent extraction, and the coprecipitation with iron hydroxide, heavy metals are measured by the AAS, ICP-AES, ICP-MS. Measurement principle and characteristics of each method are commented in this paper. Pretreatment of sample is also commented.