ABSTRACT
The importance that sample container materials can have on seawater sample composition is illustrated below by an example concerning the storage of metal solutions in glass and plastic bottles.
The following container materials were studied: polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene and borosilicate glass. The effect was studied of varying the specific surface R (cm_1) (ratio of inner container surface in contact with the solution to volume of the solution) on adsorption of metals on the container surface. New bottles were used exclusively. The differences in R values were achieved by adding pieces of the material considered. To avoid the possibility of highly active sites for sorption arising from fresh fractures, the edges of the added pieces of borosilicate glass were sealed in a flame. Prior to the use of all materials, the surfaces were cleaned by shaking with 8 m nitric acid for at least 3 days and by washing five times with distilled water.
