Determination of Cadmium in Water Samples by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry with Cloud Point Extraction

A new method for the determination of trace amount of cadmium in water by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after cloud point extraction with 1-(2-thiazolylazo)-2-naphthol was proposed.The effects of experimental conditions such as pH and concentration of reagents on cloud point extraction and determination sensitivity were discussed.The chemical variables affecting the separation phase and extraction recovery were optimized.Under the optimum conditions,pre-concentration of only 10mL of sample in the presence of 0.05% triton X-114 permitted the detection of 0.037μg/L(3σ) for cadmium.The enhancement factor was 20 for cadmium.The proposed method was applied to the determination of cadmium in water samples with satisfactory results.