Determination of Arsenic in Water by Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (TXRF) by Capture on a Copper Film

The presence of arsenic (As) in drinking water represents a public health concern due to its high toxicity. Determining arsenic by total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (TXRF) requires the separation of its matrix and subsequent preconcentration, due to the low concentrations allowed in water quality standards for human consumption. The present study describes a method to determine As in drinking water by TXRF, proposing its capture on copper (Cu) films. A simple "in situ" concentration of As directly on the reflector is performed, enabling the elimination of the sample matrix and facilitating the As extraction to the Cu film. These promising results warrant further research to evaluate the procedure's efficiency and validation, potentially establishing this as a routine method for low-concentration As determination.