Assessment of Lithium in Transylvanian Mineral Waters Using the Platinum-Wire Loop Faes Technique

Abstract

The survey of the lithium content of several spring and bottled mineral waters originating from Transylvania (Romania) has been carried out by atomization of 3 μL sample from a Pt-wire loop in the methane-air (M-A) flame. The quantification conditions were optimized, they are: atomic emission at λ = 670.8 nm, the height of 5 mm over the burner head, gas flow rates of 300 L h-1 air and 34 L h-1 methane. The effect of Na, K, Mg, Ca, NO 3-, PO 4 3-, SO 4 2and H 3 BO 3 on the emission of lithium was studied, too. The limit of quantification (6) obtained is of 0.35 ± 0.14 μg L-1 or 1.05 ± 0.42 pg, respectively (P = 0.05). Boric acid was found to be an efficient matrix modifier. The lithium content of the samples was determined with continuous nebulization and by atomization from the Pt-wire. Both the standard calibration curve and the standard addition method were used. The results of the two procedures correspond within the determination errors.

Lithium Accumulation in Salvinia natans Free-Floating Aquatic Plant

“…In Romania, there is limited information regarding Li’s concentration in water. Dippong et al [ 39 ] reported average concentrations of Li between 1.20 and 114 μg/L in Romanian bottled water brands, while Zsigmond et al [ 40 ] found high Li concentrations in most of the studied Transylvanian mineral waters. Torok et al [ 41 ] reported Li concentrations of 1.40–12.20 µg/L in groundwaters from the karst areas in Romania.…”