Multi-element detection in sea water using preconcentration procedure and EDXRF technique

A method was optimized for detecting trace elements in sea water using Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) technique. Sea water samples were pre-concentrated using ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDC) as chelating agent and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) as organic phase. The preconcentrated samples were dried to form thin films on mylar substrate and analysed using EDXRF spectrometer. The multi-element standard samples prepared in synthetic sea water were used for EDXRF instrument calibration. The instrument was calibrated for 11 elements namely As, Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Ga, Pb, Se, Sc, V and Zn using linear regression method for concentration up to 200 ppb. The detection limits achieved for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Ga, Pb, Se, Sc, V and Zn were 13, 70, 5.1, 36, 15, 36, 23, 11, 20, 13 and 40 ppb respectively. The optimized method was used for determination of elements in sea water collected from the Thane creek, Mumbai, India. The results were checked for accuracy by comparing it with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP AES) technique. The comparison showed the discrepancy of results to be insignificant at 95% confidence level. •EDXRF Method was used to detect 11 trace elements in sea water.•Pre concentration of trace elements done using APDC and MIBK.•Secondary targets and filters used for the EDXRF analysis.•The method was validated with ICP AES technique.