Hydrogeochemical Sampling Research Articles

Microgram metal contamination of water/nitric acid after four years in linear polyethylene containers

Abstract Unfrozen samples of pure water and 10% v/v nitric acid, stored in acid-cleaned linear (high-density) polyethylene containers, are used as contamination blank controls for hydrogeochemical samples preserved by deep-freezing in similar vessels. After four years the maximum levels of metal contaminants in these blanks are (in μg/1) Fc 0.4; Cr 0.6; Ni 1.0; TI 0.6; Co 1.5; Mn 0.14; Ag 0.17; Cu 1.5; Cd 0.17; Pb 2.4; Zn 2.4. Values slightly lower than these are found for Co, Mn, Ag, Cu, Zn and Pb in the pure water samples. Approximately 0.5–1.0 μg/l of both Zn and Pb are derived from the nitric acid.