Comparison of Inductively Coupled Plasma with Classical Analytical Techniques in the Analysis of Southern Oregon Lithia Water: Inclusion of a Local Resource in the Undergraduate Chemistry Curriculum

Abstract

Lithia water, a community resource of local historical significance, is described as a central theme in the undergraduate analytical chemistry sequence. A statistical comparison of the classical determination of major cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) and anions (HCO₃ ⁻, Cl⁻) reinforces statistical and charge‐balance concepts covered in analytical chemistry. Subsequent determination of these major cations by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) enables students to statistically evaluate the presence of bias between instrumental and classical methods. The effect of easily ionized elements on ICP calibration sensitivity and linearity via the use of cesium as an ionization suppressor is reported.

Keywords:

• Community resource
• ICP‐OES
• Lithia water
• quantitative analysis

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. Paul Gaines of Inorganic Ventures, Inc., for discussions regarding the use of ionization suppression for ICP‐OES. This work was made possible in part by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF 04‐511 MRI EAR‐0420855).

Notes

The authors were invited to contribute this paper to a special issue of the journal entitled “Undergraduate Research and Education in Spectroscopy.” This special issue was organized by Associate Editor David J. Butcher, Professor of Chemistry at Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, North Carolina, USA.