DETERMINATION OF NICKEL IN HUMAN URINE BY ION CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH SERIES BULK ACOUSTIC-WAVE DETECTION

By using ion chromatography with series bulk acoustic wave detection, a method for the determination of nickel at microgram per liter levels in urine has been developed. The highly sensitive response of series bulk acoustic wave (SBAW) detection has been combined with the selecti vity of ion chromatography and hence sensitivity and precision have be en improved. The detection and determination limits of the method for nickel are 0.4 and 2.0 ng ml(-1), respectively. For the IC analysis, t he analytical column is a Shim-pack IC CI column and the mobile phase is 4.5 mM tartaric acid solution. The method allows the determination of nickel in the presence of some ions commonly co-occurring with it. Urine samples from individuals with no occupational exposure to nickel were analyseded successfully. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All righ ts reserved.