Speciation of Cr(III)/Cr(VI) in tannery waste waters by using ion-exchange resins

A method has been described for the chemical speciation, preconcentration and determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) species in filtered tannery waste waters by flame atomic absorption spectrometry using ion-exchange resins. Amberlite IR-120(H+) strongly acidic cation exchanger and Amberlite IRA-410(Cl-) strongly basic anion exchanger resins were used for the separation and preconcentration of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) species, respectively. Optimum condition for preconcentration and speciation was, obtained by testing pH of sample and eluent, flow rates of sample and eluent, amount of resins, volume of sample and eluents, and effect of foreign ions. The recommended method has been successfully applied for the preconcentration and determination of chromium species in the dissolved phase of waste water samples collected from a tannery waste water treatment plant in Kayseri, Turkey. The detection limits achieved were 0.73 mu g/L for Cr(III) and 0.81 mu g/L for Cr(VI). Recovery studies showed 99% for Cr(III) and 98% for Cr(VI), for samples spiked with single species.