Determination of gold in waters in the nanogram range by anion exchange and atomic absorption spectrophotometry

A method has been developed whereby nanogram amounts of gold in waters can be accurately determined. The development of the method involves determination of optimum conditions for the complete recovery of gold from water using an anion exchange resin column, quantitative elution of gold from the resin, and final measurement of gold by atomic absorption spectrophotometry following MIBK (methyl isobutyl ketone) extraction of gold from a nitric acid solution.