Analysis of Molybdenum, Tungsten and Vanadium in Surface Waters of the Atlantic Ocean Using Solid Phase Extraction With 8-Hydroxyquinoline and ICP MS Detection
This paper describes the development of analytical technique to determine ultratrace concentrations of Mo, V and W found in ocean water. 8-hydroxyquinoline was used for solid phase extraction of the complexes with these elements onto silica-bonded C18 columns followed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry detection. The technique utilizes 150 ml of seawater; after elution and sample preparation, preconcentraton factor 50 is obtained. Detection limits for Mo, V and W are 0.25 nmol/kg, 0.041 nmol/kg and 5 pmol/kg respectively. Dissolved Mo, V and W concentrations in surface seawater from Atlantic Ocean transect were determined. The ranges of studied elements concentrations were: Mo - 91-108 nmol/kg, V - 28-35 nmol/kg and W - 55-75 pmol/kg along the profile. The Mo/W ratio in the surface water changes from ca. 1300 to 1800 along the profile in the Atlantic Ocean.