DETERMINATION OF BUTYLTIN SPECIES BY GC ATOMIC EMISSION-SPECTROSCOPY

A commercially available atomic emission detector coupled to a capillary column-containing gas chromatograph (GC/AE) was utilized to detect organotin compounds. The response for tin was found to be dependent on the flow rate of the make-up gas. At flow rates of 174 cm3 min-1, 6 x 10(-12) g of tin could be detected. Lower flow rates decreased the sensitivity. Response curves for two different pressures were established and both plots exhibited curvature at low concentrations. Extracted fish and sediment samples were analysed on the GC/AE system. The technique is element-specific. The presence of tin compounds could be confirmed by examining the emission spectra taken at the retention time of the peak.