Separation of trace elements in seawater by adsorption and their determination by neutron activation analysis

The possibilities of trace element adsorption on different adsorbents are investigated. Three procedures are described' (a) adsorption on activated charcoal of pH 8.5, (b) adsorption on activated charcoal in presence of dithizone at pH 8.5 and (c) adsorption on activated charcoal in presence of sodium diethyldithiocarbaminate at pH 5.5. Of the 23 elements which have been investigated in detail using standardised samples of water the following are determined quantitatively within an error of 10% according to procedure (a) and (b) Au, Cr, Eu, Hg, La, Sc, U and Zn, according to procedure (b) also Cd. The elements Ag, As, Ce, Fe and Se are adsorbed according to procedure (a) and (b) with yields between 60 and 90%, according to procedure (b) also Co. Mo is adsorbed by procedure (c) quantitatively. Cu is not detected after a decay time of 3 days. Sb is adsorbed by all procedures with low yields between 18 and 56%. The elements Br, Ca, Cl, K and Na remain mainly in the solution. The decontamination factors for these elements range between 102 and 106 (Na). Water from the North Sea is analysed by procedure (b). (author)