Solid phase extraction and flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination of trace amounts of zinc and cobalt ions in water samples

A simple and rapid method for the preconcentration of Co2+ and Zn2+ as their 2-guanidino-benzimidazole chelates is proposed using an octadecyl silica cartridge. The retained analytes were recovered with a mixture of 5 mL of 0.01 M HNO3 and 5 mL of methanol. The metal ions in the effluent were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The effect of different parameters, such as sample matrix, amount of ligand, type of eluent for elution of ions from cartridge, flow rates of sample solution and eluent, breakthrough volume, and limit of detection, were evaluated. The effects of various cationic and anionic interferences on the percent recovery of Co2+ and Zn2+ were also studied. Quantitative extraction efficiencies were obtained by elution of the cartridge with a minimal amount of solvent. Hence, with a typical preconcentration factor of 50, the limits of detections of the proposed method are 0.26 and 1.62 ng mL(-1) for Zn2+ and Co2+, respectively. The method was applied to the determination of zinc and cobalt ions in different water samples.