Determination of Ultra-trace Selenium and Arsenic in Drinking Water by Electrochemical Hydride Generation Coupled with QFAAS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop the procedure of Selenium and Arsenic determination in drinking waters by electrochemical hydride generation coupled with atomic absorption spectrometry. Electrolytic cells divided into three different groups were laboratory constructed and optimized for Selenium and Arsenic determination.

Two electrolytic cells (thin-layer and tubular) were finally chosen thanks their minimal inner volume and high generation efficiency (about 90%). The limit of detection 0.07 ng ml–1 was obtained for As (III) and 0.37 ng ml–1 for Se (IV).

The accuracy of the method was verified by reference material NIST SRM 1643e (Trace elements in water).

Keywords

• atomic absorption spectrometry
• electrochemical generation
• volatile hydrides
• miniaturization
• electrochemicl flow-through generation cell
• atomization
• arsenic
• selenium