Heavy metal analysis (cadmium, copper, lead and zinc) in benthic organisms by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry

Date

4-2001

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Maxima E. Flavier

Abstract

Torres, Oscar Buena, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Banos. April, 2001. Heavy Metal Analysis (Copper, Cadmium, Zinc and Lead) in Benthic Organisms by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry.

Adviser: Dr. Maxima E. Flavier

The heavy metal (Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd) content of benthic organisms such as janitor fish (Licostomu.s. sp.), "tulya"(Corbicula manilensis), snail (Miura luberculaw), and shrimps (Penaeus sp) were determined using FAAS. The samples were prepared by conventional dry ashing (AOAC, 1994) at 500°C and wet digestion with an acid mixture using MLS (Milestone)-1200 MEGA Microwave Oven Digestion System.

In general, results showed that, for all the benthic organisms tested, a higher concentration of heavy metals was obtained for the samples digested in the microwave oven than for the samples digested through the dry ashing method. The percent recoveries of the heavy metals were also higher in samples digested in a microwave oven than in the dry ashing method. The percent recoveries of copper, zinc, cadmium and lead in whole shrimp using microwave oven where 92.49%, 75.10%, 81.39% and 80.88% respectively while in dry ashing method the percent recoveries where 112.17%, 64.75%, 75.20% and 69.17% respectively. The detection limits for copper, zinc, lead and cadmium were determined to be 0.02, 0.005, 0.003 and 0.05 respectively.

Among the benthic organisms, shrimps gave the highest concentration of copper (108.24 ± 2.57 ppm), zinc (37.01 ± 0.10 ppm), lead (2.12 ± 0.02 ppm) and cadmium (0.67 ± 0.10 ppm). Thus, regular monitoring of the heavy metal content of shirmps may be used to assess the extent of heavy metal pollution in Laguna de Bay.

The concentrations of lead (Pb) were read at two wavelengths: 217 nm and 283.3 nm, with and without background correction (Di). Higher concentrations were obtained at 283.3 nm without background correction.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

Thesis

Document Type

Thesis

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