Ep. Achterberg et Cmg. Vandenberg, IN-LINE ULTRAVIOLET-DIGESTION OF NATURAL-WATER SAMPLES FOR TRACE-METAL DETERMINATION USING AN AUTOMATED VOLTAMMETRIC SYSTEM, Analytica chimica acta, 291(3), 1994, pp. 213-232
The use of in-line UV-digestion for breakdown of dissolved organic mat
ter (DOM), prior to voltammetric determination of trace metals in natu
ral samples, is discussed in this paper. Destruction of DOM is necessa
ry to free trace metals that are organically complexed and to remove i
nterfering organic surfactants. Complete breakdown of DOM in natural w
ater samples is achieved by in-line UV-digestion using a 100 W medium
pressure mercury vapour lamp and a silica coil, at a sample digestion
time of 4.5 min. The efficiency of the system is tested with destructi
on of humic acid, conversion of Cr(III) to Cr(VI), and the release of
Ni and Cu from organic complexes in sea water. The in-line application
of UV is illustrated by automated voltammetry of nanomolar levels of
Cu and Ni in samples from oceanic origin.