EMISSION SPECTROMETRIC ANALYSIS OF FRESH-WATERS WITH U-SHAPED DC ARC WITH AEROSOL SUPPLY

The application of a U-shaped d.c. are with aerosol supply for analysi s of fresh waters has been described. Limits of detection obtained wit h d.c. plasma compare well with those reported for ICP. A number of sp ectral lines and molecular bands were examined and the most suitable a re selected to ensure the best limits of detection or wide dynamic ran ges. Limits of detection in ng ml(-1), given in the parenthesis, follo wing the element symbol, are: Al(0.9), B(0.6), Ba(0.2), Be(0.15), Ca(0 .05), Cd(3.5), Co(1.1), Cr(0.2), Fe(2.4), Ga(0.5), Hg(9.0), K(0.3), Li (0.008), Mg(0.4), Mn(0.3), Mo(0.7), Na(0.04), Ni(2.0), P(45), Pb(12), Si(9.0), Sr(0.04), Zn(1.3).