Capabilities and limitations of tin direct determination using the spectrometry methods with inductively coupled plasma in Azov and Black sea waters

Abstract

The current study discussed the capabilities and limitations of tin direct determination in the waters of the Black and Azov Seas using the ICP-MS and ICP-AES methods without the separation and concentration of the analyte. The conditions for the analysis of waters, the influence of dilution and matrix components on the results of the analysis were established. As the salinity of the seawater increased, the slope of the calibration curve decreased, regardless of the detection method used. The leveling of the matrix effect of seawater on the analytical signal of tin was achieved by diluting the sample up to 100 times. A significant decrease in the analytical signal of tin was observed on the samples of seawater characterized by the high salinity. These methods allowed determining tin at the concentrations ranging from 0.33 μg/dm3 (ICP-MS), 0.37 μg/dm3 (ICP-AES) to 5 μg/dm3 in natural (fresh) water or seawater with low salinity level according to the calibration curve of the deionized water. For ICP-MS and ICP-AES determination of tin in seawater with the salinity level above 6‰ and tin concentration of more than 5 μg/dm3, it was required to use the calibration dependence constructed on the model seawater considering the salinity of the object. The studies have shown that the content of tin in the Kuban River is 0.13 μg/dm3. In the Sea of Azov, the concentration of tin in the water, depending on the sampling site, was less than 0.33 μg/dm3 (Taman) and 1.8 μg/dm3 (Temryuk, commercial port). In the Black Sea, the concentration of tin in the seawater samples from Novorossiysk city was higher and ranged from 0.55 μg/dm3 (embankment) to 1.5 μg/dm3 (seaport) and 2.1 μg/dm3 (grain terminal).