Automated method for the determination of total arsenic and selenium in natural and drinking water by HG-AAS

A multicommutated flow system was designed and evaluated for the determination of total arsenic and selenium by Hydride Generation Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (HG-AAS). It was applied to the determination of arsenic and selenium in samples of natural and drinking water. Detection limits were 0.46 and 0.08 μg l−1 for arsenic and selenium, respectively; sampling frequency was 120 samples h−1 for arsenic and 160 samples h−1 for selenium. Linear ranges found were 1.54–10 μg l−1 (R = 0.999) for arsenic and 0.27–27 μg l−1 (R = 0.999) for selenium. Accuracy was evaluated by spiking various water samples and using a reference material. Recoveries were in the range 95–116%. Analytical precision (sr (%), n = 10) was 6% for both elements. Compared with the Standard Methods, APHA, 3114B manual method, the system consumes at least 10 times less sample per determination, and the quantities of acid and reducing agent used are significantly lower with a reduction in the generation of pollutants and waste. As an additional advantage, the system is very fast, efficient and environmentally friendly for monitoring total arsenic and selenium levels in waters.