Determination of zinc by atomic absorption in automobile tire rubber as a source of ecotoxicants in atmospheric air

Abstract

Annotation. A methodology for determining zinc in tires (as a source of ecotoxicants in the atmospheric air) by atomic absorption with microwave pre-treatment as a product of motor vehicle wear in St. Petersburg was developed. In the article, the author gives different ways of sampling for testing. One of the rubber samples was taken from one area no larger than 5x5 cm on one tyre (first sampling option), the second sample was taken cumulatively from all tyre sides around its circumference (second sampling option). Tests of selected samples were carried out allowing conclusions to be drawn about the optimal sampling method. A comparative analysis has been made of the test results of samples taken by different methods from the car tyre surface. Based on the comparative analysis conclusions were made about the homogeneity of the tire composition. Various physical and chemical methods of sample preparation for the heavy metals determination are presented. In the course of the work the author selected the optimal conditions for sample preparation for testing allowing to obtain the maximum possible extraction of the analyte at the stage of sample preparation. The atomic absorption method was used to determine the zinc content in automobile tire samples. On the basis of the results obtained conclusions about the optimal sampling methods and sample preparation were made and the test conditions of the samples were optimized.