Determination of silicate in seawater by inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry

Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP) was adopted for direct analysis of silicate in seawater, eliminating necessity for pre-treatment. Via this method, the determination of silicate is rapid and easy compared with conventional methods of colorimetry. In seawater analysis, a decrease of sensitivity of about 24% was observed due to interference by coexisting elements, mainly Na. Examination of the analytical conditions revealed a detection limit of 0.3 M Si, and precisions of approximately 3.2, 2.0 and 1.3% for Si levels of 4, 15 and 94 M, respectively. Using this method, silicate determination in the East China Sea was attempted.