Organoarsenic compounds in water samples - the problem of hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopic method

The limitation of using a standardized method for the determination of total arsenic in water samples containing various organoarsenic compounds by the hydride generation technique in combination with atomic absorption spectrometry is presented in the publication. The study was carried for aqueous solutions of the organoarsenic compounds with significantly different molecular structures such as: dimethylarsinic acid, phenylarsonic acid and p- arsanilic acid and mixtures thereof. It was found that, the percentage arsenic concentration determination by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry in relation to the total content of the element in the samples depends on the structure of organoarsenic compound. The determination of As by hydride generation in water samples solutions containing various inorganic and organic forms of arsenic species is challenging.