Abstract
Gas chromatographic method for the determination of a trace of beryllium in natural and treated water was investigated. The water sample of 500 ml was extracted with acetylacetone and benzene in the presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) at pH 5.5-6.0, and then it was reverse extracted with 6 N hydrochloric acid. Recovery of beryllium at this stage was more than 95%. A sample solution for a gas chromatographic analysis was prepared by extraction with trifluoroacetylacetone and benzene from the solution concentrated with acetylacetone as above. The extract containing beryllium trifluoroacetylacetonate was washed with 0.1 N sodium hydroxide and then subjected to gas chromatography. The analytical limit is approximately 1×10-9 g/liter of beryllium. Beryllium content in the natural water at three water supplies, lake water, and river water ranged from 2.5×10-9 to 8.6×10-9 g/liter. Beryllium content in the treated water at each of the water supplies decreased from one quarter to one-third compared with natural water.
