DETERMINATION OF ANTIMONY IN RIVER WATER BY HYDRIDE GENERATION AAS

Stibine, generated by mixing a 0.7 M sulfuric acid solution of antimon y(III) with a 2% sodium tetrahydroborate solution in a mixing coil for 30 s, was separated from solution in a gas-liquid separator, and then swept into an electrically heated quartz furnace by manipulating elec tromagnetic relays and timers. Sharp peaks were recorded on a recorder . The detection limit (three times signal to noise ratio) for antimony (III) was 0.6 ng ml(-1). It took five minutes for one sample measureme nt. Interference from transition metals could eliminated by Chelex 100 separation. Antimony(V) was reduced by using a 0.1 M potassium iodide solution. The accuracy, checked with a biological standard reference material obtained from the National Institute of Standard and Technolo gy (NIST) of USA, was within the certified value. Antimony in river wa ter was determined by the present method.