Preconcentration of trace amounts of beryllium in water samples on octadecyl silica cartridges modified by quinalizarine and its determination with atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple method has been developed for rapid and selective extraction, preconcentration and determination of trace amounts of beryllium. The extraction is carried out by octadecyl silica cartridge, modified with quinalizarine as a chelating agent. The effect of different parameters, such as sample matrix, flowrates of sample solution and eluent, pH, type and least amount of eluent for elution of Be+2 ions from cartridge, breakthrough volume and limit of detection, were evaluated. Also, the effects of various cationic and anionic interferences on percent recovery of Be+2 were studied. Be+2 was extracted from solution at pH 6-6.6 and was eluted from modified cartridge with 5 ml of 0.5 M HNO3. Extraction efficiencies > 99% were obtained by elution of the cartridges with minimal amount of eluent. A preconcentration factor of 200 and a detection limit of 200 ng per 1000 ml were obtained. The method was applied to the recovery and determination of Be+2 in different water and alloy samples. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.