Analysis of Leachate Copper from Sediment at a Small Abandoned Mine Site by Handy-type Liquid Electrode Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer

Sediment, soil and drainage water were collected at an abandoned copper mine, and the leachate copper prepared with 1M HCl were qualitatively analyzed by a handy elemental analyzer based on liquid electrode plasma atomic emission spectrometry (LEP-AES). Quantitative values obtained by the handy analyzer with standard addition or conventional calibration method combining with self-internal standard method, and ones by flame atomic absorption spectrometer were compared. The analytical condition for LEP-AES, the accuracy and the precision were discussed. The elongation of interval of pulsed applied voltage enhanced intensities of emission line, but background rising for copper emission line overlapping tail of broad OH band prevent expected improvement of the limit of detection. Copper species in sediment exist as divalent basic copper sulfate confirmed by XANES/EXAFS spectra recorded by a laboratory type spectrometer.

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