SAMPLING AND ANALYTICAL METHODS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF TRACE-METALSIN SURFACE SEAWATER

New recently implemented techniques and sample strategies for the dete rmination of trace metals in seawater are discussed. It is shown that only with the highest precautions to prevent contamination, reliable r esults can be obtained. These precautions start already with the prepa ration of the sample bottles and sampling equipment in the laboratory. A rubber boat, Go-Flo samplers and a specially designed teflon-coated winch with Kevlar rope is used to collect the samples. At sea, the pr evention of contamination of the samples is the highest priority. This implicates the use of a clean air van or at least a laminary flow ben ch. Acids have to be subboiling distilled in a quartz still and stored in teflon bottles. Preconcentration of the samples on board or in the home laboratory has to be done in clean rooms. This paper gives an ac count of current procedures used for sampling and analysing seawater f or trace metal determinations.