Elemental Analysis of Drinking Water with ICP/AES

ICP/AES에 의한 먹는물의 무기원소 분석

Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometer (ICP/AES) is a versatile modern instruments for the multi-element analysis, but quantitative analysis using ICP/AES with normal pneumatic nebulizer is not applicable for the measurement of elemental concentrations in water down to the drinkining water standard level except a few elements because of poor detection limits. However, the detection limit can be lowered enough to measure drinking water standard, if ultrasonic nebulizer and/or hydride vapor generator is attached. This method is tested with groundwater samples from Tajeon area. It is confirmed that the elemental concentrations in these samples are within the limit of drinking water standard for the most elements. However, uranium concentration is very high in some samples compared with the concentrations suggested by Environmental Protection Agency of U.S.A. There is no standard concentration level to this element in Korea and it should be prepared immediately.