RAPID ION-EXCHANGE TECHNIQUE FOR THE SEPARATION AND PRECONCENTRATION OF CHROMIUM(VI) AND CHROMIUM(III) IN FRESH WATERS

A technique for the separation and preconcentration of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) in fresh waters is presented. The analytical procedure involves the use of anion- and cation-exchange columns. The columns are eluted and the eluate is analysed for chromium using a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer. The recovery of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) is 97.86 ± 1.31% and 102.36 ± 1.25% (95% confidence), respectively. The detection limits are 0.019 and 0.020 μg 1-1 for 200 ml of sample (twice the standard deviation of eleven replicate blanks). The method is rapid and the need for minimum sample handling avoids contamination problems. © 1990.