Analysis of trace elements and their physico-chemical forms in natural waters

Trace elements in natural waters can be present in different physico-chemical forms, varying in size, charge and density properties. Knowledge of speciation is essential for understanding the transport, distribution, and biological uptake of trace elements in the environment. The development of techniques to provide reliable information on physico-chemical forms has, therefore, become a challenge within Analytical Chemistry.When selecting analytical methods for the determination of total concentrations or fractions of trace elements in natural waters, no exclusion of species should occur, or at least it must be accounted for. Furthermore, the determination limits must be sufficiently low to allow the actual concentrations to be determined with reasonable precision and accuracy. For very low concentrations, preconcentration techniques are applicable, provided the chemical yield of the spike represents that of the original species present. For methods meeting these criteria, the suitability for routine analysis should be considered.When the physico-chemical forms of trace elements are to be determined, the fractionation should take placein situ or shortly after sampling. As the concentrations involved in speciation studies may be extremely low, there is an increasing awareness of potential sources of errors influencing analytical results. Sample collection and separation/fractionation/concentration procedures prior to analysis are, therefore, essential within Analytical Chemistry, and the whole procedure must be taken into account when interpreting the results. There are, however, several requirements which should be met by techniques applicable for speciation purposes. In general, size fractionation techniques (e.g.in situ hollow fibre ultrafiltration) should be applied prior to the addition of any chemical reagents (charge fractionation techniques).     

Selenium in environmental waters: Determination, speciation and concentration levels

This article reviews the different methods used for the determination of selenium species in all types of environmental waters. Basic difficulties are discussed and the efficiency of the methods is explained in view of the sub-mug/1. concentration levels. Special attention is paid to preconcentration steps. Published data on speciation and concentration levels in various water samples are critically reviewed.     

Determination of organolead compounds and of chromate beside Cr(III)

A procedure for the preconcentration and determination of ionic alkyllead compounds in surface waters and human urine and tetraalkyllead compounds in ambient air is described.Concentration ranges are given and difficulties arising in the validation of TriML and DiML in some matrices are discussed.A chromium(VI) speciation procedure consisting of a selective biosampling step by using human erythrocytes and two subsequent determination methods (GFAAS and reverse-FIA) is introduced.     

Methods for the determination and speciation of mercury in natural waters—A review

This review summarises current knowledge on Hg species and their distribution in the hydrosphere and gives typical concentration ranges in open ocean, coastal and estuarine waters, as well as in rivers, lakes, rain and ground waters. The importance of reliable methods for the determination of Hg species in natural waters and the analytical challenges associated with them are discussed. Approaches for sample collection and storage, pre-concentration, separation, and detection are critically compared. The review covers well established methods for total mercury determination and identifies new approaches that offer advantages such as ease of use and reduced risk of contamination. Pre-concentration and separation techniques for Hg speciation are divided into chromatographic and non-chromatographic methods. Derivatisation methods and the coupling of pre-concentration and/or separation methods to suitable detection techniques are also discussed. Techniques for sample pre-treatment, pre-concentration, separation, and quantification of Hg species, together with examples of total Hg determination and Hg speciation analysis in different natural (non-spiked) waters are summarised in tables, with a focus on applications from the last decade.     

Aluminium speciation: Clinical and environmental aspects

The speciation of aluminium in serum and in water is discussed. Ultramicrofiltration and HPLC techniques have been used to show that > 90% of the aluminium in serum is non-ultrafiltrable and bound to the protein transferrin. Regarding the toxicity and speciation of aluminium in natural waters the literature is plagued by disparities. The present lack of designed protocols and reference waters for the determination of the toxic aluminium species is thought to play a key role in producing these disagreements.     

Speciation analysis — why and how?

Summary The different aspects of speciation analysis are reviewed. Species-specific instrumental techniques as well as various speciation schemes are considered for the determination of species of metals and metalloids, including organometallic compounds. The application of the methods are discussed in some detail for the analysis of natural waters, air, soil, sediment and biological samples. The relationship between metal species and bioavailability is also briefly dealt with.     

Preconcentration techniques for inorganic trace analysis

Summary In inorganic trace analysis, concentration of desired trace elements is frequently required prior to the instrumental determination to lower the detection limits, improve the precision and accuracy of analytical results, and to widen the scope of the determination techniques. This paper surveys the present status and future prospects of preconcentration techniques. Here, emphasis is placed on control of contamination and losses of trace elements, preconcentration from large volumes of aqueous solutions, microscale preconcentration techniques for high-purity solid microsamples, and preconcentration techniques for trace element speciation in natural waters. Continuous-flow coprecipitation-flotation and other techniques which have been developed in the author's laboratory in recent years are given as examples.

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Anreicherungsverfahren für die anorganische Spurenanalyse

Zusammenfassung In der anorganischen Spurenanalyse ist vor der instrumenteilen Bestimmung oft eine Anreicherung der zu bestimmenden Spurenelemente erforderlich. Hierdurch kann man das Nachweisvermögen sowie die Präzision und die Richtigkeit verbessern und den Anwendungsbereich der Methode erweitern. Es werden in der vorliegenden Arbeit Entwicklungsstand und Entwicklungstendenzen bei Anreicherungstechniken behandelt. Probleme betreffend Kontamination, Verluste von Spurenelementen, Anreicherung aus großen Volumina wäßriger Lösungen, Mikromethoden für Anreicherung im Fall von Mikromengen fester Reinststoffe und Anreicherungsverfahren bei Speziesbestimmungen in natürlichen Gewässern werden diskutiert. Als Beispiele werden auch kontinuierliche Mitfällungs- und Flotationsverfahren sowie andere Techniken, die im Laboratorium des Autors ausgearbeitet wurden, behandelt.

     

Preconcentration of environmental trace elements on organic support for neutron activation and high resolution photon spectrometry

In this paper, six methods of preconcentration on ion exchange or chelating filters and resins for neutron activation with X-ray and gamma spectrometry are described. These techniques are applied to the determination of trace elements in natural waters. The analysis of water samples from the lake of Geneva by these different methods gave results in good agreement among themselves and also when compared with those obtained by other techniques, with a very reasonable blank and good sensitivity for most determined elements.     

Application of Capillary Electrophoresis for Determination of Inorganic Analytes in Waters

Aside from HPLC and GC, capillary electrophoresis (CE) is one of the most important techniques for high-performance separations in modern analytical chemistry. Its main advantages are the possibility of using different detection techniques, the possibility of in-capillary sample processing for preconcentration or derivatization, and ease of instrumental miniaturization down to the microfluidic scale. Those features are utilized in the separation of macromolecules in biochemistry and in genetic investigations, but they can be also used in determinations of inorganic ions in water analysis. This review, based on about 100 original research works, presents applications of CE methods in water analysis reported in recent decade, mostly regarding conductivity detection or indirect UV detection. The developed applications include analysis of high salinity sea waters, as well as analysis of other surface waters and drinking waters.     

Speciation of Tin,Lead, Mercury,Arsenic and Selenium Compounds by Capillary Electrophoresis

Abstract

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) methods published over the period 1992–2000 for the speciation of tin, lead, mercury, selenium and arsenic are reviewed, with emphasis on the determination of the metallorganic species. Analytical conditions and detection techniques suitable for the determination of these species are discussed. The electrolytes covered by the review include both nonmicellar and micellar solutions. Although direct UV detection is still the predominant detection method for speciation by capillary electrophoresis, ICPMS has been gaining in significance because of its sensitivity and selectivity in elemental analysis. Further, ways of increasing the concentration sensitivity are outlined and discussed. Apart from the use of more sensitive detectors, this can be accomplished either by derivatisation of the analytes to form highly absorbing or fluorescent species or thorough leading a higher total amount of the analytes into the capillary. The latter aim can be achieved by preconcentration using solid-phase extraction (SPE), or using various on-capillary stacking methods. Finally, an overview of applications to speciation analysis is presented, organized according to the particular element being determined.     

高矿化度水体样品中痕量砷形态分析方法研究进展

砷污染物是水体环境中重点优先监测的污染物之一。归纳总结了近年来高矿化度水体系中痕量砷的测定方法研究进展,内容包括样品的处理（稀释、预富集和基体分离）分析,指出了高矿化度水体系中不同形态砷分析的发展方向。     

Continuous sonoassisted digestion coupled to flow injection minicolumn separation for the determination of total and labile Cu and Fe in fresh waters by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

An automatic on-line system is developed for the trace determination of copper and iron species in fresh waters by flame atomic absorption spectrometry using only 5 and 2?mL of sample, for copper and iron determination, respectively. This system, which includes a home-made minicolumn of commercially available resin containing aminomethylphosphonic acid functional groups (Chelite P), comprises two operational modes. The first, used for the determination of the dissolved labile fraction (free copper and iron ions and their weak complexes) is based on the elution of this fraction from a minicolumn containing the chelating resin loaded in-situ with the sample. The second mode is used for the determination of total trace copper and iron concentrations. This last mode is based on the retention/preconcentration of total metals on the Chelite P resin after on-line sonoassisted digestion of water samples acidified with nitric acid (0.5?mol?L^?1 final concentration) to break down metal organic complexes present in fresh waters as river waters. The figures of merit for copper and iron determination in both fractions are given and the obtained values are discussed. The analytical method was characterized and the limit of detection and limit of quantification for the two metals were 0.5 and 1.6?µg?L^?1 for Cu and 2.3 and 6.1?µg?L^?1 for Fe, respectively. The repeatability, expressed as relative standard deviation, was in the range 1.0–2.1%. The speciation scheme was applied to the analysis of river surface water samples collected in Galicia (Northwest, Spain).     

The ICP-MS approach to environmental studies

The certification of marine materials for trace metals is a process which challenges every technique involved, especially if a technique is as recent as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), Developmental work was required for several materials (natural waters, biological materials, marine sediments). It is reviewed here, in an attempt to show how one can take full advantage of ICP-MS. This includes a review of the digestion procedures developed for the multielement analysis of biological materials and marine sediments in order to minimize spectroscopic interferences. The multielement analysis of natural waters is also reviewed, in particular that of saline waters which requires a separation of the analytes from the alkali and alkaline earths elements and a preconcentration of the analytes on a column of silicaimmobilized 8-hydroxyquinoline. The potential of performing this separation/preconcentration procedure on-line is showed using both published and original results. Finally, the application of ICP-MS to speciation is illustrated by the determination of methylmercury in biological materials after extraction, and by the determination of arsenic species by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to ICP-MS.Presented in part at the 1989 European Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry, Reutte, AustriaThe work described was carried out while the author was a Research Associate at the Analytical Chemistry Section, Chemistry Division, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, K1A OR9, Canada     

铬的形态分析研究与进展

综述了Cr(Ⅲ)、Cr(Ⅵ)形态分析的发展。内容包括概述、样品分离富集、光谱分析、色谱分析等。引用文献43篇。     

Sorption preconcentration in combined methods for the determination of noble metals

Combined methods for the determination of noble metals with the use of sorption preconcentration with complexing, anion-exchange, and other sorbents are reviewed. Characteristics of sorbents, techniques of sorption preconcentration, and techniques for the preparation of a concentrate for determination are considered. Features of instrumental methods for the determination of noble metals in the analysis of different materials are discussed. Examples of the use of sorption preconcentration in combined methods for the determination of noble metals are given from publications between 1996–2005.     

Determination of rare earth elements in natural water samples – A review of sample separation,preconcentration and direct methodologies

This review discusses and compares the methods given for the determination of rare earth elements (REE) in natural water samples, including sea, river, lake, tap, ground and waste waters as well as Antarctic ice. Since REE are at very low concentrations in natural waters, numerous different preconcentration methods have been proposed to enable their measurement. These include liquid liquid extraction, dispersive liquid-liquid micro-extraction and solidified floating drop micro-extraction. In addition to liquid-liquid extraction methods, solid phase extraction using commercial resins, resins made in-house, silica-based exchange materials and other solid media is also discussed. These and other techniques such as precipitation/co-precipitation and flotation are compared in terms of speed, preconcentration factors achieved, precision, accuracy and limits of detection (LOD). Some papers have discussed the direct determination of REE in these sample types. Some have used specialised sample introduction systems such as ultrasonic nebulization whereas others have used a standard sample introduction system coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) detection. These direct methods have also been discussed and compared.     

Sorption–Atomic Absorption Determination of Trace Elements in Natural Waters Using Simultaneous Atomization of a Solid Concentrate and Suspended Matter

A sorption–atomic absorption technique with dynamic preconcentration on DETATA adsorbents in a microcolumn crucible followed by the direct atomization of a solid matrix (concentrate + suspended matter) was used to determine the total dissolved and suspended Cd, Pb, and Tl (El_dis+ El_susp) in natural waters. The detection limits were 1–3 ng/L for Cd and 5–30 ng/L for Pb and Tl. The results of the sorption–filtration atomic absorption determination of the total dissolved and suspended elements can provide extra information for the speciation analysis of waters.     

Extraction and pre-concentration of organometallic species from environmental samples

Methods of extraction, clean-up and preconcentration normally reserved for organic trace analysis are considered with a view to applying such techniques to the developing field of organometallic speciation. The overview covers the main compartments of the natural environment; water, soil and sediment, plant and animal tissue.     

Non-chromatographic hydride generation atomic spectrometric techniques for the speciation analysis of arsenic,antimony, selenium,and tellurium in water samples—a review

Hydride generation (HG) coupled with AAS, ICP–AES, and AFS techniques for the speciation analysis of As, Sb, Se, and Te in environmental water samples is reviewed. Careful control of experimental conditions, offline/online sample pretreatment methods employing batch, continuous and flow-injection techniques, and cryogenic trapping of hydrides enable the determination of various species of hydride-forming elements without the use of chromatographic separation. Other non-chromatographic approaches include solvent extraction, ion exchange, and selective retention by microorganisms. Sample pretreatment, pH dependency of HG, and control of NaBH₄/HCl concentration facilitate the determination of As(III), As(V), monomethylarsonate (MMA), and dimethylarsinate (DMA) species. Inorganic species of arsenic are dominant in terrestrial waters, whereas inorganic and methylated species are reported in seawater. Selenium and tellurium speciation analysis is based on the hydrides generation only from the tetravalent state. Se(IV) and Se(VI) are the inorganic selenium species mostly reported in environmental samples, whereas speciation of tellurium is rarely reported. Antimony speciation analysis is based on the slow kinetics of hydride formation from the pentavalent state and is mainly reported in seawater samples.     

Toward the use of surface modified activated carbon in speciation: selective preconcentration of selenite and selenate in environmental waters

This paper describes a novel application of tetrabutylammonium hydroxide-modified activated carbon (AC-TBAH) to the speciation of ultra-trace Se(IV) and Se(VI) using LC-ICP-DRC-MS. The anion exchange functionality was immobilized onto the AC surface enables selective preconcentration of inorganic Se anions in a wide range of working pHs. Simultaneous retention and elution of both analytes, followed by subsequent analysis with LC-ICP-DRC-MS, allows to accomplish speciation analysis in natural samples without complicated redox pre-treatment. The laboratory-made column of immobilized AC (0.4 g of sorbent packed in a 6 mL syringe barrel) has achieved analyte enrichment factors of 76 and 93, respectively, for Se(IV) and Se(VI), thus proving its superior preconcentration efficiency and selectivity over common AC. The considerable enhancement in sensitivity achieved by using the preconcentration column has improved the method's detection limits to 1.9-2.2 ng L(-1), which is a 100-fold improvement compared with direct injection. The analyte recoveries from heavily polluted river matrix were between 95.3 and 107.7% with less than 5.0% RSD. The robustness of the preconcentration and speciation method was validated by analysis of natural waters collected from rivers and reservoirs in Hong Kong. The modified AC material is hence presented as a low-cost yet robust substitute for conventional anion exchange resins for routine applications.