Simultaneous determination of trace metals in industrial and domestic effluents by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry

Trace quantities of zinc, cadmium, lead, bismuth, and copper were determined simultaneously in industrial and domestic effluents by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry following digestion in a closed system. Fifteen (15) types of effluents of different industrial processings were employed. A procedure for providing low blank buffer and electrolyte systems was tested and the efficiency for the entire process including digestion, sample transfer and analysis was found to range from 93 to 100%. This system and technique is highly competitive with flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry in terms of precision and accuracy, and is superior to atomic absorption in terms of sensitivity, detection limits, and costs.