USGS-NWQL: I-5055:  Antimony, total in bottom material, various, hydride_AA

  • Summary
  • Analytes
  • Revision
  • Data and Sites
Official Method Name
Antimony, atomic absorption spectrometric, hydride
Current Revision
Revised 1985
Media
VARIOUS
Instrumentation
Gaseous Hydride Method with Atomic Absorption Detection
Method Subcategory
Inorganic
Method Source
  USGS-NWQL
Citation
Methods for the Determination of Inorganic Substances in Water and Fluvial Sediments, Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations of the United States Geological Survey, Book 5, Chapter A1 Edited by Marvin J. Fishman and Linda C. Friedman
Brief Method Summary
Organic antimony-containing compounds are decomposed by adding sulfuric and nitric acids and by repeatedly evaporating the sample to fumes of sulfur trioxide. The antimony so liberated, together with inorganic antimony originally present, is subsequently reacted with potassium iodide and stannous chloride, and finally with sodium borohydride to form stibine. The stibine is removed from solution by aeration and swept by a flow of nitrogen into a hydrogen diffusion flame, where it is determined by atomic absorption at 217.6 nm.
Scope and Application
This method may be used to analyze water and water-suspended sediment containing at least 1 ug/L of antimony. Samples containing more than 15 ug/L need to be diluted.
This method may be used to analyze bottom material containing at least 1 ug/g of antimony. Ordinarily, a 100-mg sample of prepared bottom material (method P-0520) is taken for analysis. However, if the sample contains more than 15 ug/g of antimony, a smaller sample needs to be used.
Applicable Concentration Range
1-15 ug/g
Interferences
Since the stibine is freed from the original sample matrix, interferences in the flame are minimized. Selenium and arsenic, which also form gaseous hydrides, do not interfere at concentrations of 100 ug/L. Greater concentrations were not tested.
Quality Control Requirements
Calibrate instrument using calibration standards (CAL). Quality control samples (QCS) and laboratory blanks (LB) analyzed at a minimum of I each after every 10 samples. (Reference OFR 95-443).
Sample Handling
Container Description: 500 mL Polypropylene bottle, wide-mouth.
Treatment and Preservation: No treatment, preservation or special shipping requirements
Maximum Holding Time
180 days
Relative Cost
Less than $50
Sample Preparation Methods
P-0520