Cloud point extraction for the determination of cadmium and lead employing sequential multi-element flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A cloud point extraction procedure for pre-concentration and determination of cadmium and lead in drinking water using sequential multi-element flame atomic absorption spectrometry is described. 4-(2-thiazolylazo)-orcinol (TAO) has been used as complexing agent and the micellar phase was obtained using the non-ionic surfactant octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol (Triton X-114) and centrifugation. The conditions for reaction and extraction (surfactant concentration, reagent concentration, effect of incubation time, etc) were studied and the analytical characteristics of the method were determined. The method allows the determination of cadmium and lead with quantification limits of 0.30 µg L−1 and 2.6 µg L−1, respectively. A precision expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD, n = 10) of 2.3% and 2.6% has been obtained for cadmium concentrations of 10 µg L−1 and 30 µg L−1, respectively, and RSD of 1.3% and 1.7% for lead concentrations of 10 µg L−1 and 30 µg L−1, respectively. The accuracy was confirmed by an...