Multivariate optimization in preconcentration procedure for manganese determination in seawater samples by FAAS

In the present paper, a preconcentration procedure for manganese determination in seawater samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) is proposed. It is based on the solid phase extraction of manganese(II) ions as a 4-(2-pyridylazo-resorcinol) (PAR) chelate using activated carbon as sorbent. Optimization of the experimental parameters (pH, activated carbon mass, PAR mass and shaking time) was carried out using a two-level full factorial design (2(4)) and two Doehlert matrix designs. The results of the factorial design, considering the analysis of variance (ANOVA), demonstrate that all these factors and their interactions (pH x PAR mass; pH x activated carbon mass and activated carbon mass x shaking time) are statistically significant. Final optimization was carried out using Doehlert matrix designs considering the results of the factorial design. The validation process evaluated the following parameters: effect of other metal ions, calibration curve, precision, accuracy and robustness. The procedure allows manganese determination in seawater samples with limits of detection (3sigma/S) and quantification (10sigma/S) of 16 ng L-1 and 53 ng L-1 respectively, and a preconcentration factor of 152. The analysis of certified reference materials demonstrated that the proposed procedure can also be used for manganese determination in biological samples. The procedure is not affected by matrix interferences and could be satisfactorily applied in manganese determination in seawater samples. Manganese determination in surface seawater samples collected from the shore of Salvador city, Brazil, was performed, and concentrations ranging from 0.51 to 2.59 mug L-1 were found.