Improved dithiocarbamate/oxine solvent extraction method for the preconcentration of trace metals from seawater using metal exchange back-extraction

A rapid single extraction procedure using dithiocarbamate complexing agent, a di-isobutyl ketone (DIBK) organic phase and Hg exchange back-extraction is described for the simultaneous quantitative preconcentration of Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn in seawater. An 8-hydroxyquinoline (oxine) extraction technique is also presented for the subsequent determination of Mn using the same reagents and operating system. The proposed method gave quantitative spike recoveries for all metals and was in excellent agreement with the certified results for CASS-3 marine reference seawater. Blanks and detection limits are in the low ppt range. The method gives a preconcentration factor of 72 for an 80-ml sample, facilitating the analysis of pristine seawater samples.