Determination of oxygen by deuteron-induced PIPPS

Using the 871-keV¹⁶O p/1,0/ prompt -ray, oxygen was determined with a relative precision of ±3.8% at a concentration level of 120 g g^–1. The sensitivity of the method is below 10 g g^–1. 50 nm oxide layers on silicon wafers can be determined with a relative precision of 10%. A chamber for transporting targets sensitive to atmospheric gases and humidity is described.     

New books

Summary Micromolar analyses of the nitrogen species NH₃, NO ₂ ^– , and NO ₃ ^– in soil and other samples are usually accomplished by extracting several samples and testing each for a different species. This procedure is not viable when the quantity of the initial sample is limited. An improved method of separating and analysing for ammonia NH₃(aq), nitrite NO ₂ ^– (aq), and nitrate NO ₃ ^– (aq) from a single small sample with concentrations of 0–50 mol/l is reported. No interferences or carryovers among the three nitrogen containing species were found. Uncertainties were ±2–5 mol/l and accuracies with respect to standards were ±3 mol/l.     

Differential pulse voltammetric methods for the simultaneous estimation of uranium-iron and uranium-cadmium mixtures in solution

Differential pulse voltammetric methods have been developed for the simultaneous estimation of the constituents of uranium-iron and uranium-cadmium mixtures in solution. A mixture of 1M H₃PO₄–1M KH₂PO₄ (with a pH1.5), was found to be the most ideal supporting electrolyte for both methods, among many that were evaluated for their suitability. In uranium-iron mixtures the calibration for iron was found to be linear up to 150 g ml^–1 (r²=0.9986), while that of uranium up to 500 g ml^–1 (r²=0.999). Iron at 6.7 g ml^–1 level could be determined in the presence of 800 fold uranium (wt/wt) without significant interference. Uranium at 21 g ml^–1 level could be analyzed with 5-fold iron (wt/wt). This upper limit of iron was due to the precipitation of iron as phosphate. In the case of uranium — cadmium mixtures, cadmium calibration for cadmium was found to be linear up to 1300 g ml^–1 (r²=0.9993). Concentration levels of 4.6 g ml^–1 Cd could be determined at a 500-fold excess (wt/wt) of uranium. Uranium calibration was linear up to 500 g ml^–1 (r²=0.999) and 21 g ml^–1 uranium could tolerate up to a 1000-fold excess of cadmium (wt/wt). Both procedures could tolerate 10 g ml^–1 levels of metal ions, such as chromium, copper, manganese, molybdenum and vanadium.     

The determination of boron in biological materials by neutron irradiation and prompt gamma-ray spectrometry

A prompt-gamma neutron activation technique has been developed using the (n, ) apparatus situated at the O degree through-tube of the Imperial College CONSORT II Reactor with a thermal neutron flux at the target position of approximately 2×10⁶ n cm^–2 sec^–1, and a Compton-suppression system involving a lithium-drifted germanium (Ge(Li)) detector and a sodium iodide anti-Compton shield. Boron levels of 1–5 g g^–1 (detection limit 0.05 g B for 10,000 sec period of measurement) can be attained using the Compton-suppression system with graphical inter-polation correction for the 472 keV sodium-ray peak contribution to the Doppler-broadened 478 keV boron gamma-ray peak resulting from the¹⁰B(n, )⁷Li reaction. Very good agreement is reached for boron levels compared using this system for various Standard Reference Materials and other published values. Measurement of the boron content of bone and tooth samples from rheumatoid arthritis individuals shows lower levels, (p<0.05); 16.13±7.53 g g^–1, when compared with a control population; 19.79±4.18 g g^–1. A positive correlation existed between the boron content of bone and tooth material for each study group. Results indicate that boron availability may be associated with rheumatoid arthritis.     

Determination of pentachlorophenol residues in wine and corks by solvent extraction methodology and specific gas chromatography detection

Summary A gas chromatographic methodology with selective detection is presented for the analysis in wines and corks of pentachlorophenol residues, which are suspected to be the most likely precursors of some off-flavours described in several wine samples. After derivatisation, pentachlorophenol acetate residues were monitored by electrolytic conductivity detection and/or mass spectrometric detection in the selective ion mode at m/z 264 and 266. Recoveries varied from 80 to 96% for wine samples fortified with 5 to 100 g l^–1 and from 83 to 91% for corks (fortified at 25 to 100 g kg^–1). The proposed methodology allowed for a determination limit of g l^–1 for wine and 10 g kg^–1 for corks.     

Variation of natural232Th excretion in non-exposed persons

Urinary excretion of²³²Th was assessed, in occupationally non-exposed persons by means of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Measurements were performed in 55 healthy subjects. Mean daily²³²Th excretion was 47±26 Bq·d^–1 (range 17–121 Bq·d^–1). Results obtained showed no statistically significant correlation with age and no differences were found between males and females. The impact on the assessment of intakes by workers is discussed.     

Nuclear interferences of uranium and thorium in a reactor neutron activation analysis determination of cerium using the radionuclides141Ce and143Ce

The interference contributions of uranium and thorium to the determination of cerium based on radionuclides¹⁴¹Ce and¹⁴³Ce produced by irradiation in a reactor core was determined. The values of the interference contributions for¹⁴¹Ce were 0.28±0.01 g Ce/g U and /2.01±0.05/x10^–3 g Ce/g Th, and for¹⁴³Ce 1.33±0.03 g Ce/g U and /9.0±0.2/x10^–3 g Ce/g Th.     

Semi-automatic catalytic titration of some aminopoly-carboxylic acids,copper(II), and cobalt(II)

Summary A semi-automatic potentiometric method is described for the catalytic titrimetric determination ofg amounts of some aminopolycarboxylic acids. The method is based on their inhibitory effect on the copper(II)-catalyzed periodate-thiosulfate reaction. Amounts of EDTA in the 0.7–600g range (10^–6–8×10^–5 M), of DCTA in the 7–7000g range (10^–6–10^–3 M), of EGTA in the 0.8–800g range (10^–7–10^–4 M), and of DTPA in the 4–800g range (5×10^–7–10^–4 M) were determined with average relative errors and coefficient of variation of about 0.4–1%. The method has also been used for the indirect catalytic titrimetric determination ofg amounts of Cu²⁺ and Co²⁺ ions with about the before mentioned accuracy and precision.

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Halbautomatische katalytische Titration einiger Aminopolycarbonsäuren sowie von Cu(II) und Co(II)

Zusammenfassung Eine halbautomatische potentiometrische Methode zur katalytischen Maßanalyse von Mikrogrammengen einiger Aminopolycarbonsäuren wurde angegeben. Sie beruht auf dem Hinderungseffekt gegenüber der Cu(II)katalysierten Perjodat-Thiosulfatreaktion. EDTA in Mengen von 0,7–600g, DCTA in Mengen von 7–7000g, EGTA in Mengen von 0,8–800g und DTPA in Mengen von 4–800g wurden mit einem mittleren relativen Fehler von etwa 0,4–1% bestimmt. Das Verfahren wurde auch zur Bestimmung von Cu(II) und Co(II) mit der angeführten Genauigkeit verwendet.

     

Quantitative chemical analysis on paper. I

Summary A method has been proposed for the determination of small quantities of Cl^–, SCN^– and I^– in mixtures. The method is based on the use of filter paper evenly impregnated with Ag₂CrO₄. The method permits the determination of 5 to 50g of Cl^–; 15 to 100g of I^– and 10 to 150g of SCN^– with an accuracy of 1.5%.The method may also be used for determination of SCN^– alone.

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Zusammenfassung Ein Verfahren für die Bestimmung kleiner Mengen Chlorid, Rhodanid und Jodid in deren Gemischen wird vorgeschlagen. Es beruht auf der Verwendung eines mit Silberchromat gleichmäßig imprägnierten Filtrierpapierstreifens und ermöglicht die Bestimmung von 5 bis 50g Chlorid,15 bis 100g Jodid und 10 bis 150g Rhodanid mit einer Genauigkeit von 1,5%. Das Verfahren kann auch für die Bestimmung von Rhodanid allein verwendet werden.

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Résumé On a proposé une méthode pour le dosage de petites quantités de Cl^–, SCN^–, et I^– en mélanges. La méthode est fondée sur l'emploi d'un papierfiltre uniformément imprégné d'Ag₂CrO₄. Elle permet le dosage de 5 à 50g de Cl^–, 15 à 100g d'I^– et de 10 à 150g de SON^–, à la précision de 1,5%. On peut aussi utiliser la méthode pour le dosage de SCN^– seul.

     

Simultaneous Determination of Four Active Components in a Compound Formulation by Liquid Chromatography

Summary A rapid and accurate LC method is described for simultaneous determination of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (PSE), acetaminophen (AMP), dextromethorphen hydrobromide (DEX), and diphenhydramine hydrochloride (DPH) in a compound formulation. Chromatographic separation of the four drugs was achieved on a Hypersil CN column (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 m particle) by use of a mobile phase comprising a mixture of 3 mM ion-pairing solution, 2% aqueous triethylamine solution, and 2 M phosphoric acid, 68:48:88 (v/v), pH 3.0, delivered at 1.0 mL min^–1. Compounds were detected at 215 nm and the run time was less than 10 min. The linearity, accuracy, and precision of the method were found to be acceptable over the concentration ranges 6.1–36.4 g mL^–1 for PSE, 65.0–390.0 g mL^–1 for AMP, 3.1–18.6 g mL^–1 for DEX, and 5.0–30.0 g mL^–1 for DPH.     

Determination of nitrate in natural waters by flow-injection analysis

Summary Nitrate was determined in natural water samples by flow-injection spectrophotometry. It was reduced to nitrite with copperized cadmium and the nitrite thus produced reacted with p-aminoacetophenone and m-phenylenediamine. The limit of detection was about 1.5 g l^–1 for sample injections of 650 l. The sampling rate was about 40 samples h^–1 and the relative standard deviation was above 1% for 0.1–0.3 mg l^–1 nitratenitrogen. Nitrite present in the sample was determined separately and subtracted.

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Nitratbestimmung in natürlichen Wässern mit Hilfe der Fließinjektions-Analyse

Zusammenfassung Nitrat wird bei dieser Methode mit Hilfe einer Cu/Cd-Reduktionssäule zu Nitrit reduziert, das mit p-Aminoacetophenon und m-Phenylendiamin zur Reaktion gebracht wird. Die gebildete Verbindung wird spektral-photometrisch gemessen. Die Nachweisgrenze beträgt etwa 1,5 g/l bei injizierten Probevolumina von 650 l. Der Probendurchsatz beträgt 40/h. Die relative Standardabweichung liegt über 1% bei 0,1–0,3 mg/l Nitrat-Stickstoff. Vorhandenes Nitrit wird gesondert bestimmt und abgezogen.

     

Spectrophotometric determination of nitrite in environmental waters using column preconcentration on biphenyl

Column preconcentration methods have been established for the spectrophotometric determination of trace nitrite with sulfanilic acid (SA) orp-aminoacetophenone (AAP) as the diazotizable aromatic amine andN, N-dimethylaniline (DMA) or 1-aminonaphthalene (AN) as the coupling agent, using differention-pairs co-precipitated with biphenyl. Nitrite ion reacts with SA in the pH range 2.0–3.0 and AAP in the pH range 1.7–3.0 in HCl medium to form water-soluble colourless diazonium cations. These cations are subsequently coupled with DMA in the pH range 3.7–6.1 for the SA-DMA system and AN in the pH range 1.7–2.3 for the AAP-AN system to be retained on microcrystalline biphenyl packed in a column. The solid mass is dissolved out from the column with 5 ml of DMF and the absorbance is measured by a spectrophotometer at 420 nm for the SA-DMA system and at 517 nm for the AAP-AN system. The calibration was linear over the concentration ranges 0.3–6.0 g of nitrite in 5 ml of DMF solution (i.e., 0.02–0.40 g/ml in the sample solution) for the SA-DMA system and 0.5–7.0 g of nitrite in 5 ml of DMF solution (i.e., 0.03–0.47 g/ml in the sample solution) for the AAP-AN system. The molar absorptivity and Sandell's sensitivity were respectively 2.63 × 10⁴lmol^–1cm^–1 and 1.75 × 10^–3 g cm^–2 for SA-DMA and 3.28 × 10⁴lmol^–1 cm^–1 and 1.40 × 10^–3 g cm^–2 for AAP-AN. The concentration factors were 4 and 16 for SA-DMA and AAP-AN, respectively. The detection limits were 0.0138 and 0.0175 g/ml NO₂ ^– for SA-DMA and AAP-AN, respectively. Seven replicate determinations of a solution containing 3.5 g of nitrite gave mean absorbances of 0.410 and 0.500 with relative standard deviations of 0.51 and 0.55% for SA-DMA and AAP-AN, respectively. Interference from various foreign ions has been studied and the methods have been applied to the determination of nitrite in environmental samples.     

Path of “dry” electrons before localization in liquid hydrocarbons

Conclusions On the basis of measurements of values of in liquid hydrocarbons, it has been shown that the path length before localization of a photoliberated electron increases with increasing mobility of the excess electron, from approximately 40 Å (methylcyclohexane) to 200 Å (isooctane). In a liquid with10^–2 cm²/V·sec (methylcyclohexane, hexane), the localization takes place before or immediately after thermalization of the electron. In a liquid with>10^–1 cm²/V·sec, the electron passes through the main part of its path before localization, being in thermal equilibrium with the medium.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 2198–2203, October, 1985.     

Bestimmung von Chrom in menschlichem Serum und Plasma mit der flammenlosen Atomabsorptions-Spektrophotometrie

Zusammenfassung Die bis heute in der Literatur mitgeteilten Werte für Chrom im Serum nüchterner gesunder Probanden unterscheiden sich um Größenordnungen. Die in der vorliegenden Arbeit mitgeteilten Untersuchungen betreffen die analytische Problematik der Chrombestimmung mit Hilfe der flammenlosen Atomabsorptions-Spektrometrie, wobei aufgezeigt wird, daß diese Methodik für die Chrombestimmung in biologischem Material ohne großen statistischen Aufwand zu keiner sicheren Beurteilbarkeit und Interpretierbarkeit der gemessenen Werte führt. Mit Hilfe synthetischer Chromkomplexverbindungen werden die Probleme der Standardaddition zur Chrombestimmung untersucht. Unter Berücksichtigung der Blindwerte und der daraus resultierenden Nachweisgrenze sowie Garantiegrenze für Reinheit, wurde Chrom in einem Standardreferenzmaterial (1569 Brewers yeast [U. S. National Bureau of Standards]) im Rahmen eines Ringversuchs zur Chromanalyse sowie im Serum und Plasma von 41 Probanden bestimmt. Für das Referenzmaterial wurde ein Wert von 45±4 mol/kg (2,3±0,2 g/g) ermittelt. Der Referenzwert betrug 41±1 mol/kg (2,12±0,05 g/g). Im Serum wird eine lognormale Verteilung der Chromkonzentration mit den zentralen Parametern ±_M=132,2 nmol/l (0,72,2 g/l) ermittelt. Im Plasma lagen die Werte zwischen 20 und 30 nmol/l (1–1,5 g/l). Aufschluß, Durchführung der Bestimmung sowie die biologische Bedeutung und Interpretation des Parameters Chrom im Serum und Plasma werden eingehend diskutiert.

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Determination of chromium in human serum and plasma by flame-less atomic-absorption spectrophotometry

Summary Concentrations of Cr in serum of overnight fasting volunteers differ over a wide range in the literature. The investigations of the analytical problems of Cr determination by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry underline the necessity of statistical methods for the interpretation of the measurements of Cr in biological matrices. With nine different synthetic chromium complexes the method of standard addition was investigated. Considering the blank values, the limit of detection and the limit of guarantee for purity, Cr was determined in the standard reference material 1569 brewers yeast (National Bureau of Standards) with 45±4 Mol · kg^–1 (2.3±0.2g·g^–1), compared with the reference data 41±1 Mol·kg^–1 (2.12±0.05 g±g^–1). In serumuuuuu we found a lognormal distribution with the central parameters 132.2 nMol ·1^–1 (0.72.2 g·1^–1). In plasma the values were in the range between 20 and 30 nMol·1^–1 (1–1.5 g·1^–1). The ashing process and the determination are demonstrated and discussed in detail.

     

Continuous ultrasound-assisted extraction of cadmium from legumes and dried fruit samples coupled with on-line preconcentration-flame atomic absorption spectrometry

Cadmium was continuously extracted with diluted nitric acid from legumes and dried fruit samples using a simple, rapid and continuous ultrasound-assisted extraction system. A minicolumn packed with a chelating resin (Chelite P, with aminomethylphosphoric acid groups) was placed between the extraction unit and the detector for cadmium preconcentration. The cadmium content in the acid extract was retained into the minicolumn, and elution was carried out with hydrochloric acid, with this trace metal continuously monitored by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. An experimental design (Plackett-Burman 2⁶×3/16) was used to optimize the continuous leaching procedure and the preconcentration step. The method allowed a total sampling frequency of 10 and 14 samples per hour for legumes and dried fruit, respectively. The procedure displayed good precision (2.0 and 2.5%, respectively, expressed as relative standard deviations) for samples containing 0.202±0.005 g g^–1 Cd (broad bean) and 0.239±0.004 g g^–1 Cd (peanut). Detection limits of 0.014 g g^–1 Cd for 60 mg of legume samples and 0.011 g g^–1 Cd for 80 mg of dried fruit samples were obtained. The method was successfully applied to the determination of trace amounts of cadmium in legumes and dried fruit samples.     

The composition of volatile and particulate hydrocarbons in urban air

Summary The hydrocarbon composition of the particle and gas phases in the urban atmosphere has been studied by filtration and parallel adsorption on active charcoal and polyurethane foam (PUF). Gas chromatography (GC) and GC coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) have been used for the analysis of the organic matter extracts obtained with each system. In the case of the particle and PUF samples these extracts were fractionated into aliphatic and aromatic compounds. This approach has allowed to identify up to 247 hydrocarbon molecules showing that C0–C5 alkylbenzenes are the major compounds in the charcoal extracts whereas C14–C23 n-alkanes, C0–C4 alkylnaphthalenes, C0–C4 alkylbiphenyls and C3–C5 alkylbenzenes are those predominantly found in the PUF materials. The particles essentially contain C17–C38 n-alkanes and parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). These qualitative differences are paralleled by a progressive concentration decrease from the more to the less volatile hydrocarbons. Thus, the total charcoal extracts average 80 g/m³, the PUF compounds represent 4 /m³ and the particle hydrocarbons 0.7 g/m³. These latter airborne materials are essentially composed of petrogenic residues 0.6 g/m³ (aliphatic fraction) whereas the pyrolytic PAH only involve 0.08 g/m³.     

Development and application of a simple routine method for the determination of selenium in serum by octopole reaction system ICPMS

The aim of the study was to develop an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) method for robust and simple routine determination of selenium in serum. Polyatomic interferences on ⁷⁶Se, ⁷⁷Se, and ⁷⁸Se were removed by applying an octopole reaction system ICPMS with the reaction cell pressurized with H₂ gas. We developed a novel simple optimization routine for the H₂ gas flow based on a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) calculation of the selenium signal measured in a single selenium standard. The optimum H₂ flow was 2.9 mL min^–1. The selenium content in serum was determined after a 50-fold dilution with 0.16 M HNO₃ and quantified by using addition calibration and gallium as an internal standard. The method detection limit was 0.10 g L^–1 for ⁷⁶Se and ⁷⁸Se and 0.13 g L^–1 for ⁷⁷Se. Human serum samples from a case-control study investigating if selenium was associated with risk of colorectal adenoma were analyzed. The average selenium concentration for the control group (n=768) was 137.1 g L^–1 and the range was 73.4–305.5 g L^–1. The within-batch repeatability (a batch is ten samples) estimated from 182 replicate analyses was 6.3% coefficient of variation (CV), whereas the between-batch repeatability was 7.4% CV estimated from 361 replicates between batches. The method accuracy was evaluated by analysis of a human serum certified reference material (Seronorm Serum level II, Sero A/S, Norway). There was a fairly good agreement between the measured average of 145±3 g L^–1 (n=36) and the certified value of 136±9 g L^–1. In addition the method was successfully applied for analysis of zinc serum concentrations without further optimization. For the Seronorm certified reference material a value of 911±75 g L^–1 (n=31) for zinc was obtained, which corresponds well to the certified zinc value of 920±60 g L^–1.     

Electrical Double Layer on Liquid Sn–Ga Alloy in Aqueous Solutions

Double-layer parameters of a liquid Sn–Ga electrode in aqueous electrolyte solutions are studied. It is shown that Sn in the alloy with Ga is a surface-active component and is forced out onto a surface layer of the electrode. The double-layer parameters of an Sn–Ga electrode (8 at. % Sn), which are measured in the experimentally accessible range of charges, differ radically from the parameters of Ga electrodes and are close to those of Sn electrode. Hence, an Sn–Ga electrode containing 8 at. % Sn simulates electrochemical properties of a liquid Sn electrode. The difference between reciprocal electronic capacitances of Hg and Sn and a corrected electrochemical work function of Sn are determined. It is shown that the chemisorption interaction of an Sn–Ga electrode with water molecules is virtually absent at charges more negative than –7 C/cm². A potential drop on uncharged Sn, which is associated with water chemisorption, is –20 mV. Thus, the hydrophilicity of Sn is slightly higher than that of Hg, Bi–Ga, Pb–Ga, and Tl–Ga and significantly lower than that of In–Ga, Cd–Ga, and Ga.     

Extractive spectrophotometric determination of niobium(V) using 3-hydroxyflavone

A simple, rapid method for the spectrophotometric determination of niobium in trace amounts is presented, employing 3-hydroxyflavone as a ligand for the complexation of the metal ion and extracting the coloured complex into chloroform from 4M HClO₄ solution. Beer's law is obeyed in the range 0.0 to 3.2 g ml^–1 Nb(V), with a lower working limit of 0.1 g ml^–1 Nb(V). Molar absorptivity and Sandell's sensitivity of the complex at 395 nm are 4.088 × 10⁴l mol^–1 cm^–1 and 0.002g Nb(V) cm^–2, respectively. The stoichiometry of the complex is established as 12 by Job's and mole ratio methods. The method is free from the interference of a large number of analytically important elements. The proposed system handles satisfactorily the analysis of several samples of varying complexity. The results are highly reproducible with a relative standard deviation of 0.34% for 20 g of Nb.