RAPID TEST METHOD FOR THE DETECTION AND SEMIQUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF TOTAL HEAVY-METALS IN WATER

An indicator paper is proposed for the detection and semiquantitative determination of total heavy metals in water. A solution of 1-(2-pyrid ylazo)-2-naphthol in acetone, used as the indicator, is applied to a f ilter paper preimpregnated with a sodium tetraborate solution. With a fiducial probability of 0.95, the detection limit of total heavy metal s is as low as 2 x 10(-6) M, which is 1-2 orders of magnitude lower th an the detection limits attained with the procedures known from the li terature. With the use of preconcentration, the detection limit may be decreased to 1 x 10(-7) M. The proposed procedure is very rapid and d oes not require complicated instrumentation. The indicator paper retai ns its properties for no less than twelve months.