An indirect method for the determination of chromium species in water samples by sequential inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry

Abstract

Determination of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) in water samples by inductively coupled argon plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) was performed indirectly employing an on-line system. For this purpose a column with copper shavings was used to reduce Cr(VI) to Cr(III) in acidic media, generating Cu(II) ions in the flow path. This process permitted the evaluation of concentrations in the range of 1–50 mg/l. The protocol allowed a throughput of 100 samples per hour with 10% precision in the concentration.