Determination by Fluorescence Spectroscopy of Cadmium at the Subnanomolar Level: Application to Seawater

This paper reports the development of a molecular fluorescence spectroscopy-based approach for the determination of cadmium in seawater. Anthrylazamacrocycle derivatives—the fluorescence of which is enhanced when chelated to zinc or cadmium—are used as chemosensors. A detection limit of 5 nM has been found at pH 10 for both metals, and spectral shifts allow simultaneous Cd(II)/Zn(II) determination using multiwavelength analysis. While cadmium emission behavior is similar at pH 13, zinc is not detected anymore. This enables the selective detection of cadmium even at a high Zn(II)/Cd(II) ratio. The detection limit is 1 nM. Interferent removal and preconcentration have been developed using a Dowex resin, with a view to determine cadmium in seawater. A global procedure including interferent elimination, cadmium preconcentration (30 fold), and fluorescence detection at pH 13 has been evaluated on certified reference material SLEW-2.