Enrichment of zinc in water samples using a new activated carbon

In this study, a new solid phase extraction (SPE) technique was applied to determine the zinc in environmental-biological samples, especially water, by High-Resolution Continuum Source Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (HR CS-FAAS). Activated carbon (ACVS) prepared from vine shoots was used as the adsorbent. Column technique was applied to separation-enrichment. The most suitable conditions for enrichment were determined by examining parameters such as sample solution pH, recovery solvent type and concentration, flow rate of sample solution and recovery solution, sample solution volume, amount of adsorbent and foreign ion effect. Quantitative determinations were then made under these conditions using HR CS-FAAS. The efficiency of the method used, the observability limit (LOD), the limit of determination (LOQ) and the accuracy were also examined. The mean recovery for Zn(II) was 97 %, LOD value was 0.30 μgL-1, % RSD value was 3,8 and the enrichment factor (ZF) was 150. The technique has also been applied to natural water samples.