Simultaneous multielement determination of trace metals in lake waters by ICP emission spectrometry with preconcentration and their background levels in Japan

Abstract

An analytical method combining a preconcentration followed by determination with inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry (ICPES) was developed for monitoring background levels of trace metals in natural waters. Complexes of trace metals (Al, Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) and 8-hydroxyquinoline were absorbed to a C18 chemically bonded silica gel disposable plastic column. They were eluted with methanol and digested with nitric acid. With this preconcentration procedure, about 500-fold preconcentration is possible. Simultaneous multielement analysis with ICPES ensures the necessary sensitivity to measure the trace metals in Lake Mashu water at concentration ranges from μg l−1 (ppb) to ng l−1 (ppt).Lake Mashu is a deep oligotrophic lake in Hokkaido, Japan and famous for the highest transparency in the world. The trace metal concentrations in Lake Mashu were extremely low: Fe 2.6; Al 1.2; Mn 0.76; Zn 0.63; V 0.15; Cu 0.069; Ti 0.06; Pb 0.05; Ni 0.027; Cd < 0.006; and Co < 0.004 μg l−1. The suitability of Lake Mashu for a background level monitoring station for global environmental pollution was assessed by the comparison to reference data for other lakes in the world.