Selective preconcentration and ion chromatography of trace lead(II) in environmental samples using a porous graphitic carbon column

Highly selective ion analysis of sub-ppm Pb(II) on a porous graphitic carbo n (PGC) column, is described using ion chromatography with acidified aqueou s mobile phases, post-column detection using PAR and spectrophotometric det ection. Sensitivity is enhanced by on-line preconcentration of the metal pr ior to the chromatography using one millilitre injection volumes applied to a calix[4]arene-tetrahydroxamate based chelating precolumn. The method is applied to water samples collected from a river subjected to an industrial effluent discharge and results obtained compare favourably with those obtai ned using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy.