Solid-phase extraction, separation, and visible spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of iron in water samples

A simple and reliable method is presented for the rapid extraction, separat ion, preconcentration, and determination of iron as its bathophenanthroline complex by the use of octadecylsilica membrane disks and spectrophotometry . We evaluted extraction efficiency, the influence of sample matrix, type a nd optimum amount of extractant, flow rates of sample solution and eluent, pH, amounts of bathophenanthroline and hydroxylamine hydrochloride, breakth rough volume, and limit of detection. We also studied the effects of variou s cationic interferences on percent recovery of iron. Complete elution of t he complex from disks was obtained with a minimal amount of solvent, The li mit of detection of the proposed method is 0.080 ppb, The method was applie d to the recovery and determination of iron in natural waters.