Determination of antimony content in natural water by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after collection as antimony(III)-pyrogallol complex on activated carbon

Antimony(III) was preconcentrated on activated carbon (AC) as the antimony( III)-pyrogallol complex. Prior to the preconcentration, antimony(Ti) was re duced to antimony(III) with potassium iodide and ascorbic acid. The antimon y adsorbed on the AC was determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption s pectrometry as an AC suspension. The method was applied to differential det ermination of trace amounts of antimony in natural water. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.