Enrichment of beryllium ions using K-birnessite

In this study, it was aimed that developing a new solid phase extraction methods (SPE) for determination beryllium (Be) levels in various water samples by using atomic spectroscopic methods and its separation and preconcentration from matrix before analysis. In SPE technique for separation and preconcentration progress, K-birnessite with Layered-structure material form (KBRLSM) were used as solid phase support material (adsorbent) for the separation and preconcentration procedures. Various experimental parameters such as pH of the sample solution, type and concentration of eluting agents, flow rate of the sample solution and eluting agents, volume of the sample solution for retention and recovery of trace metals on the adsorbents were investigated and optimized. Determination of the optimal conditions, the method detection limit (LOD) of 280 ng/L was found to be 1.6 % RSD. The accuracy, precision and validity of the methods were checked by using known statistical methods. The adsorbed Be ions on KBRLSM were eluted with 5 ml of 1 mol/L HNO3 solutions and their concentrations were determined by High-Resolution Continuum Source Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (HR-CS FAAS). The optimum pH value for quantitative sorption of Be ions was found between 7,0 and 8,5. The preconcentration factor was found as 100 for 500 ml aqueous solution containing 5 μg Be ions. The developed method was successfully applied to some water samples for separation of beryllium. Keywords: Preconcentration, trace metal, adsorption, solid-phase extraction, flame atomic Absorption spectrometry, beryllium.