A study of certain trace metals in sea water using anodic stripping voltammetry

Anodic stripping voltammetry utilizing a thin film mercury composite graphite electrode has been evaluated and applied for the direct analysis of the metals, Zn,J Cu, Pb, and Cd in sea water. The electrode was observed to follow theoretical behavior for thin film electrodes and the technique was found not to be adversely affected by dissolved organic material in sea water. Good precision (ca., 5%) was obtained in both coastal and open ocean waters at the in situ concentrations of Zn, Cu, Pb, and Cd. It was shown that this method is at present most suitable for measurements of Cu, Pb, and Cd in sea water. Evidence is given suggesting that Ni may interfere with the determination of Zn through formation of an intermetallic compound, and further studies are indicated to understand this phenomenon. The anodic stripping apparatus was adapted and used conveniently on shipboard. It was demonstrated that stripping analysis could be combined with a method for the destruction of dissolved organic matter- (photo-oxidation with ultra-violet radiation), and with an acidification procedure to obtain measurements of trace metal speciation in sea water.

Department dc:contributor.department

Joint Program in Oceanography

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

1970

Author dc:creator

• Fitzgerald, William Francis, 1926-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Derek W. Spencer and David N. Hume.

• Joint Program in Oceanography.
• Earth and Planetary Sciences.
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/58857

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/58857