The mineral cobaltite is mined for the production of cobalt.
Ore containing cobaltite may also contain trace quantities of
nickel. A sample of ore was analysed by AAS to determine
the concentration of nickel present. 5.0 g of the ore was
dissolved in 25 mL concentrated nitric acid, then diluted to
100 mL. A concentrated stock solution containing 1000 ppm
nickel was also prepared. 10 mL of the ore sample solution
was pipetted separately into four 100 mL fl asks and 1, 2, 4
and 6 mL of the concentrated stock nickel solution was added
to the fl asks. All five flasks were then made up to the mark.
A ‘standard addition’ calibration curve was prepared using
10, 20, 40 and 60 ppm added nickel, giving the standards
listed in the table.
Concentration of nickel
(ppm)
Absorbance
Standard 1 x + 10 0.25
Standard 2 x + 20 0.34
Standard 3 x + 30 0.44
Standard 4 x + 40 0.53
Sample x 0.15