An online preconcentration system for the determination of uranium in water and effluent samples.

Amberlite XAD-4 resin functionalized with β-nitroso-α-naphthol was applied to an online system for the preconcentration and determination of uranium. U (VI) ions were retained on the minicolumn at an appropriate pH and then desorbed with acid solution. The amount of uranium in the eluate was measured spectrophotometrically at 650 nm using Arsenazo III as a colorimetric reagent. The limit of detection and the preconcentration factor were 1.8 μg L(-1) and 10, respectively. The chemical and flow variables affecting the preconcentration were studied. The influence of several ions on the system was also investigated. The method was successfully applied for the evaluation of uranium in water and in effluent samples.