Abstract

Metal ion detection in water is an area of industrial and environmental priority with new regulations for trace metals frequently on the international agenda. For example, the World Health Organisation specifies a maximum amount of 0.05 mg of lead per litre of drinking water ( ca 5 ppb ). However, although extremely sensitive, commonly used methods of water monitoring, such as atomic absorption spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and electrochemical methods do not lend themselves to remote detection.

© 1998 IEEE