A green and simplified approach for the quantitative and sensitive analysis of heavy metal ions in sea and stream waters

Abstract

Elimination of the matrix effect is a major challenge in developing a method for the quantification of heavy metals (HMs) in water samples. In this regard, the current research describes the simultaneous analyses of Cu(II), Cd(II), and Ni(II) ions in water matrices through flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS) after preconcentration with carrier element-free co-precipitation (CEFC) technique by the help of an organic co-precipitant, 3-{[5-(4-Chlorobenzyl)-3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl]-methyl}-4-[2,4-(dichlorobenzylidene)amino]-1H-1,2,4-triazole-5(4H)-thione (CCMBATT). Based on our literature research, CCMBATT was employed for the first time in this study as an organic co-precipitant for the preconcentration of HMs. Factors such as solution pH, concentration of co-precipitant, sample volume, standing time, centrifugation rate, and time were thoroughly examined and optimized to achieve the highest efficiency in terms of HM recovery. The limits of detection (LODs) (with 10 number of tests) of 0.54, 0.34, and 1.95 μg L−1 and the relative standard deviations (RSD %) of 2.1, 3.3, and 3.0 were determined for Cu(II), Cd(II) and Ni(II) ions, respectively. Recovery results of HMs for the spiked samples were in the range of 92.8–101.0%, demonstrating the trueness of the method and its applicability to the water samples matrix. HIGHLIGHTS CCMBATT has been utilized for the first time as an organic co-precipitant in CEFC method for the precise determination of HMs at low levels in water samples.; CCMBATT enables the direct quantification of hazardous HMs on itself, eliminating the need for the introduction of any additional carrier elements.; The risk of analyte contamination and interferences caused by the carrier element has been eliminated.;

Keywords

• cadmium
• copper
• co-precipitation
• flame atomic absorption spectrometry
• nickel
• preconcentration