.A new approach for a cloud point extraction-electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric method was used for determining bismuth. The aqueous analyte was acidified with sulfuric acid (pH 3.0-3.5). Triton X-114 was added as a surfactant and natriumdiethyldithiocarbaminat (Na-DDTC) was used as a complexing agent. After phase separation at 50oC based on the cloud point separation of the mixture, the surfactant-rich phasen was diluted using tetrahydrofuran (THF). Twenty microliters (20 L) of the enriched solution and 10 l of 0.1% (w/v) Pd(NO3)2 as chemical modifier were dispersed into the graphite tube and the analyte determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. After optimizing extraction conditions and instrumental parameters, a preconcentration factor of 195 was obtained for a sample of only 10 mL. The detection limit was 0.04 ng ml-1 and the analytical curve was linear for the concentration range of 0.04-0.70 ng mL-1. Relative standard deviations were <5%. The method was successfully applied for the extraction and determination of bismuth in water samples.

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