Analytical determination of microelements in well waters

Well water analysis was carried out starting with liquid samples which have been evaporated to dryness. The salt deposit crust has ensured an enrichment in microelements which were approximately determined by emission spectroscopy. Once the order of magnitude was established, the exact measurements were carried out based on the following techniques: mass spectrometry, atomic absorption spectrophotometry, activation with slow neutrons, and γ-spectrometry. The results obtained are the average values of at least three methods employed. In the case of elements of concentration less than 0,5 ppm (in the solid salt), the only acceptable method was activation analysis and, to a lesser extent, mass spectrometry. In all the four samples the following microelements were found by mass spectrometry and activation analysis: Mo, Ru, Sb, by mass spectrometry only: Nb, Rh, Pd, Sn, Zr and by activation analysis: Se, Hf, Sm, Eu. (T.G.)