Determination of dissolved selenium(VI) in freshwater.
A procedure is proposed for the determination of selenate in freshwaters with a high content of dissolved organic material. After passage through an XAD-8 column, selenate is collected on a strong anion exchanger and subsequently eluted with hydrochloric acid. Following conversion into the tetravalent state, selenium is determined using atomic absorption spectrometry after hydride generation and preconcentration in a cold trap system. The two-column procedure effectively separates selenium(VI) from possible organic interferents and allows quantification at the low ng/l. level. Results from the investigation of waters from lakes and streams indicate that selenium(IV) and (VI) may constitute a very small part of total dissolved selenium.
Ornemark
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Uppsala University, Department of Analytical Chemistry, P.O. Box 531, S-751 21 Uppsala, Sweden.
Olin
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