Abstract
A procedure for the determination of low concentrations of Te(IV) and Te(VI) in sea-water and other natural waters has been developed. Te(IV) and Te(VI) are first concentrated by coprecipitation with Mg(OH) (sub 2) . Te(IV) is reduced to tellurium hydride with borohydride and is analysed by AAS after thermolysis in a graphite furnace. Te(VI) is reduced to Te(IV) by boiling with HCl, and then total Te is determined by AAS allowing Te(VI) concentrations to be calculated by difference. The detection limit of the technique is 0.5 pmol./litre with a precision of 10-20%.