The determination of copper by flow injection analysis with flame AAS detection after preconcentration by solvent extraction

Trace amounts of copper (QCu = 2 to 900 mg ml-1)) were determined by FIA-FAAS after extraction of the Cu chelate with ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarboxylate (APDC), present in a concentration of QAPDC = 1 mg ml-1, from 0.2M acetate buffer at pH 5.05 into 4-methyl-2-pentanone. The limit of determination was LQ = 2 ng ml-1 for the injection of 150 μl of the organic phase into a continuous stream of air as the carrier medium. The maximum throughput was about 40 samples per hour. The method was applied to the determination of copper in water samples from power station cooling circuits.