A method for arsenic level determination and a device for arsenic reduction in drinking water

A method of non-flame atomic absorption spectrometry for total arsenic concentration at trace level in liquid samples by the hydrides generation technique was developed. Separation of arsenic from liquid samples was done by reduction of samples using stanochloride. Argon was used as supporting gas. The detection limit in this method was 1 ppb. The method was checked on water samples taken from water-supply wells by determination of total arsenic level. The interfering influence of Au, Ag, Cu, Se and Fe on total arsenic concentration determination was also examined. Laboratory and semi-industrial devices for quick filtration of dissolved arsenic from well water were constructed. Single- and double-layer filters filled with quartz sand and anthracite with filtration speeds of 20 and 12 m3/h, respectively, were used. The average reduction of total arsenic concentration level of 42% was attained.