A closer look at our elixir of life with the determination
of zinc, cadmium, lead, copper, thallium, nickel, cobalt
and iron
Some trace elements (for example copper,
cobalt, selenium and zinc) are essential to maintain
the metabolism of the human body. Nevertheless at higher
concentrations they can lead to poisoning. It‘s
just a matter of concentration whether they are harmful
to our health or not.
Sources of heavy metals can be erosion
of natural deposits (for example iron, copper, cadmium)
as well as human activity. The latter includes discharge
from chemical and agricultural chemical factories, discharge
from refineries (cadmium, zinc, nickel), waste incineration
plants (cadmium), runoff from herbicides and fungicides
used in agriculture (copper), mining (mercury, zinc)
and corrosion of household plumbing systems (cadmium,
iron, copper, lead). Sewage sludge which is commonly
used as fertilizer in agriculture can also be problematic
due to its high content of heavy metals.
|
Trace analysis of metals by Voltammetry
Due to the outstanding sensitivity, voltammetry and
polarography are the first choice in the trace analysis
of metals.
Just imagine how comfortable it would be for you to
determine zinc, cadmium, lead, copper, thallium, nickel,
and cobalt in water samples in just one single run!
You can do it quick and easy by voltammetry according
to standard DIN 38406 Part 16 which
is described in Metrohm’s well known Application
Bulletin 231. Iron can also be determined.
Forget about time consuming evaluation of the optimal
experimental parameters. They are all implemented in
the large database of Metrohm’s 797 VA Computrace
which is part of the reliable partly automated MVA-2
system. With a single mouse click all settings are done
and you are ready for measuring.
|
Food
Analysis 
