Selective reduction of arsenic species by continuous hydride generation. Part II. Validation of methods for application to natural waters

Abstract

Preliminary research has been concerned with the selective determination of arsenate (AsV), arsenite (AsIII), monomethylarsonic acid (MMAA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMAA) using continuous hydride generation and atomic absorption spectrometric detection. These studies (Part I) highlighted certain media as being suitable for monitoring AsIII, AsIII+ AsV, DMAA alone and AsIII+ AsV+ MMAA + DMAA. Details are provided of the application of these procedures to the determination of arsenic species in contaminated streams draining mineralised areas of Cornwall. The data generated have been compared with those produced by a cold-trapping technique and statistical methods have been utilised to test the analytical accuracy.