Trace enrichment and determination of sulphate by flow injection inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

Abstract

A rapid and sensitive method for the determination of sulphate based on flow injection inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (Fl-ICP-AES) has been developed. A microcolumn of activated alumina (acidic form) was used in the Fl manifold to pre-concentrate sulphate before ICP-AES detection at 180.73 nm. Linear calibration was established over the concentration range 0–1000 µg l–1 and the limit of detection based on a 2-ml sampling volume was 2.8 µg l–1. The relative standard deviations at 10 and 1000 µg l–1 were 7.0 and 0.8%, respectively. Determinations of sulphate in natural waters and boiler feed water were demonstrated.