Lead pre-concentration using a novel manganese dioxide resin

A novel manganese dioxide (MnO₂) resin is suitable for the determination and decontamination of lead isotopes (²⁰⁸Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb, ²⁰⁶Pb) in aqueous solutions at trace concentrations. This is desirable due to the toxic nature and high abundance of lead in the environment. Current techniques are both time consuming, expensive and not suitable for low-level lead decontamination. The MnO₂ resin has been demonstrated to pre-concentrate with extraction efficiency above 90% for a range of pH values, and with a mean extraction of 92.5% from fresh waters at a flow rate of 100 ml min⁻¹. The lead distribution coefficient is 1.3 × 10⁴ (pH 7) with tolerance to calcium and sodium. Adsorption isotherms have been investigated and the resin shown to follow the Langmuir adsorption isotherm with a saturation point of 41.5 mg per g of MnO₂ resin.