Determination of trace metals and speciation of chromium ions in atmospheric precipitation by ICP-AES and GFAAS

Sampling and analytical techniques used for determining trace metal concentrations in atmospheric precipitation waters collected in Hungary are presented. The results of the analyses are briefly discussed and special attention is devoted to chromium speciation. For the preconcentration of the trace metals a chelating cellulose, iminodiacetic acid ethylcellulose (IDAEC) microcolumn was used in a flow-injected system. Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Ti, V and Zn were determined by ICP-AES. In precipitation water the concentrations of the trace elements were in the 0.1–50 μg/l. range. The two forms of chromium, Cr(III) and Cr(VI) were separated using IDAEC and the anion exchanger diethylamine ethylcellulose, respectively. Cr was determined by GFAAS. In atmospheric precipitation the concentration of Cr(III) was in the range of 0.1–0.4 μg/l. while that of Cr(VI) in the range of 0.04–0.1 μg/l.