Trace Element Loss onto Polyethylene Container Walls from Impinger Solutions from Flue Gas Sampling

Abstract

Trace element loss between collection and analysis from liquid environmental samples may be large. This paper describes losses to polyethylene container walls of As, Hg, Sb, Se, Cd and Zn, elements likely to be present in the vapor phase in flue gas from pulverized coal utility boilers. Losses were measured in four types of impinger solutions commonly used to absorb volatile elements. Adsorption losses were measured by adding radiochemical tracers to the selected impinger solutions (double distilled H₂O, and 10% solutions of H₂O₂, Na₂CO₃ and ICI) and measuring the amounts adsorbed onto their container walls over a period of up to 100 days. Arsenic, Sb, and Se showed only small losses. Zinc, Cd, and Hg were stable in some solutions and unstable in others. Freeze dried samples had no measurable losses.