Trace element analysis of waters by X-ray emission spectroscopy

Details are given of procedure developed for simultaneous determination of trace elements in water by X-ray emission spectroscopy. It involves precipitation of the trace elements with a non-specific chelating agent, ammonium-1-pyrollidine dithiocarbamate and separation of the precipitate by membrane filtration before X-ray analysis. The method was applied to samples of sea water from the Adriatic sea, and the results are discussed. The effect of pH range on the numbers of elements recovered by complexation was investigated, and pH3 was found to be optimal. The advantages of X-ray emission spectroscopy over other analytical techniques are indicated.