Determination of trace silver in water samples by online column preconcentration flame atomic absorption spectrometry using termite digestion product.

A new method for Ag determination in water samples using solid phase extraction (SPE) coupled to a flow injection system and flame atomic absorption spectrometry was developed. The sorbent used for Ag preconcentration and extraction was the termite digestion product. Flow and chemical variables of the system were optimized through a multivariate procedure. The factors selected were adsorbent mass, buffer type and concentration, sample pH, and sample flow rate. The detection limit and precision were 3.4 μg L(-1) and 3.8% (n = 6, 15 μg L(-1)), respectively. The enrichment factor and the linear working range were, respectively, 21 and 10-50 μg L(-1). Results for recovery tests using different water samples were between 96 and 107%. The proposed methodology was applied with success for the determination of Ag in water used to wash clothes impregnated with silver nanoparticles, supplied by a factory located in Santa Catarina, Brazil.