TIN (3500-Sn)
3500-Sn TIN
Tin (Sn) is the fourth element in Group IVA in the periodic
table; it has an atomic number of 50, an atomic weight of 118.69,
and valences of 2 and 4. The average abundance in the earth’s
crust is 2.1 ppm; in soils it is 10 ppm; in streams it is 0.1 ␮g/L,
and in groundwaters it is ⬍0.1 mg/L. Tin is found mostly in the
mineral cassiterite (SnO2), in association with granitic rocks. Tin
is used in reducing agents, solder, bronze, pewter, and coatings
for various metals.
The common aqueous species are Sn4⫹, Sn(OH)4,
SnO(OH)2, and SnO(OH)3⫺. Tin is adsorbed to suspended
Joint Task Group: 20th Edition—See 3500-Al.
3-103
solids, sulfides, and hydroxides. Tin can be methylated in
sediments. Tributyl tin undergoes biodegradation quickly.
Organo-tin compounds are toxic. Tin is considered nonessen-
tial for plants and animals.
Either the flame atomic absorption method (3111B) or the
electrothermal atomic absorption method (3113B) may be used
successfully for analyses, depending upon the sensitivity desired.
The inductively coupled plasma/mass spectrometric method
(3125) also may be applied successfully in most cases (with
lower detection limits), even though tin is not specifically listed
as an analyte in the method.