Determination of Lead, Arsenic, Mercury and Selenium in Drinking Water by Intermittent Flow Hydride Generation Atomic Fluorescence Spectrophotometry

Objective To explore the application of atomic fluorescence spectrophotometry for monitoring of drinking water. Methods The concentrations of lead, arsenic, mercury and selenium in drinking water were determined by intermittent flow hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrophotometry in this assay, using optimized reaction and working conditions. Results The detection limit of lead, arsenic, mercury and selenium was 0. 1μg/L, 0.06 μg / L, 0.01μg / L and 0.07μg / L respectively. This method had broad linear range, better correlation coefficients (r0.999 0) and higher precision (RSD2.9%). The average recovery rates of tested water samples ranged from 95.0% to 104.0%. Conclusion This method was simple, rapid, accurate and highly sensitive. It was suitable for detection of lead, arsenic, mercury and selenium in drinking water, which could meet the needs of sanitary monitoring and sanitary inspection.