Occurrence of cadmium in water: Its determination by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry

Abstract

A simple and sensitive method has been described for the determination of cadmium in potable water by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Major elements like sodium. potassium. calcium and magnesium were observed to interfere severely in the atomization of cadmium. Interference by these elements was, however, successfully overcome by matrix modification. The matrix modification reagent consists of I per cent ammonium nitrate plus I per cent diammonium hydrogen phosphate. The detection limit of the method is 0.15 J.Lg/1. Cumulative frequency distribution of cadmium in waters showed that the Cd 2+ was chiefly contributed by aothrapogenic sources rather than industrial or sewage discharges.