Determination of trace elements in water and sediment samples from Ismaelia Canal using ion chromatography and atomic absorption spectroscopy

Two analytical techniques, atomic absorption spectroscopy and ion chromatography, have been used to analyse the heavy element content in water and sediments from the Ismaelia Canal, Egypt. The water samples were collected from a depth of 1.5 m below the surface while the pH of the samples was adjusted by nitric acid to prevent the adsorption of the elements onto the walls of the sample container. The elements studied were copper, lead, iron, nickel, cobalt, cadmium and manganese. For the analysis using ion chromatography, two different eluants, pyridine dicaroboxylic acid and oxalic acid, were used. Agreement in the concentrations of the elements was obtained between ion chromatography and atomic absorption spectroscopy measurements.