Determination of heavy metal in drinking waters by X-ray spectroscopy.

Concentrations of trace elements in some drinking waters were determined using the X-ray emission spectroscopy. Water samples were collected near Rijeka, the most industrialized centre in the northern part of the Yugoslav coast, to find out if concentration of heavy metals in water are within permitted limits. Since concentrations of heavy metals in natural water are quite low, it was necessary to preconcentrate the water before the analysis. Two techniques of water samples preparation were used depending on the elements to be analyzed: precipitation by the APDC (amonium-pyrrolydine-dithiocarbamate) (for Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Pb and Hg). complexation with the APDC followed by the adsorption on activated carbon (for U).