Design of a field flow preconcentration system for cadmium determination in seawater by flow-injection-atomic absorption spectrometry

A field flow preconcentration system (FFPS) for cadmium determination in seawater is described. Seawater samples are collected and preconcentrated in situ by passing them with a peristaltic pump through a minicolumn packed with Amberlite XAD-4 impregnated with the complexing agent 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol. Thus, cadmium is complexed, retained, and preconcentrated without the interference of the saline matrix. Minicolumns loaded with cadmium are then returned to the laboratory where they are incorporated into a flow injection system and eluted with a small volume of an ethanolic solution of hydrochloric acid into the nebuliser-burner system of a flame atomic absorption spectrometer. The optimization of FFPS design is presented, and the stability and characteristics of the Cd-loaded minicolumns are studied in detail. The detection limit for Cd in seawater based on an enrichment factor of 1059 was 3.8 ng l(-1). The precision (R.S.D.) obtained for different amounts of cadmium was in the range 4.1-6.5% at the 25-100 ng l(-1) level. Analysis of certified reference materials (SLEW-3 and NASS-5) showed good agreement with the certified value. This procedure was applied to the determination of cadmium in seawater samples from Galicia (Spain).     

Optimization of a field flow pre-concentration system by experimental design for the determination of copper in sea water by flow-injection-atomic absorption spectrometry

A Plackett–Burman 2^7×3/32 design for seven factors (sample pH, sample flow rate, eluent volume, eluent concentration, eluent flow rate, ethanol percentage in the eluent and mini-column diameter) was carried out in order to find the significant variables affecting the field flow pre-concentration system (FFPS) and the flow injection elution manifold for copper determination in seawater samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. By using the optimized flow systems, seawater samples were collected and pre-concentrated in situ by passing them with a peristaltic pump through a mini-column packed with Amberlite XAD-4 impregnated with the complexing agent 4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcinol. Thus, copper is pre-concentrated without the interference of the saline matrix. Once in the laboratory, the mini-columns loaded with copper are incorporated into a flow injection system and eluted with a small volume of a 40% (v/v) ethanolic solution of 3 mol l⁻¹ hydrochloric acid into the nebulizer-burner system of a flame atomic absorption spectrometer. Analysis of certified reference materials (SLEW-3 and NASS-5) showed good agreement with the certified value.     

On-line preconcentration and determination of Zn in natural water samples employing a styrene-divinylbenzene functionalized resin and flame atomic absorption spectrometry.

In this work, flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) was used as a detector for the determination of zinc in natural water samples with a flow-injection system coupled to solid-phase extraction (SPE). In order to promote the on-line preconcentration of zinc from samples a minicolumn packed with 35 mg of a styrene-divinylbenzene resin functionalized with (S)-2-[hydroxy-bis(4-vinylphenyl)methyl]pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid ethyl esther was utilized. The system operation was based on Zn(II) ion retention at pH 9.5 +/- 0.5 in such a minicolumn with analyte elution, at the back flush mode, with 1 mol L(-1) HCl directly to the FAAS nebulizer. The influence of the chemical (sample pH, buffer concentration, HCl eluent concentration and effect of the ionic strength) and flow (sample and eluent flow rates and preconcentration time) parameters that could affect the performance of the system were investigated as well as the possible interferents. At the optimum conditions, for 2 min of preconcentration time (9.9 ml of sample volume), the developed methodology presented a detection limit of 1.1 microg L(-1), a RSD of 3.5% at 10 microg L(-1) and an analytical throughput of 24 h(-1). Whereas, for 4 min of the preconcentration time (19.8 ml of sample volume) a detection limit of 0.98 microg L(-1), a RSD of 6.5% at 5 microg L(-1) and a sampling frequency of 13 h(-1) are reported.     

Field preconcentration of cadmium from seawater by using a minicolumn packed with Amberlite XAD-4/4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcinol and its flow-injection-flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination at the ng L(-1) Level

A flow injection analysis-flame atomic absorption spectrometric method for the determination of cadmium in seawater was developed with the aim of yielding a sensitive assay with a low detection limit. The method employs a field flow preconcentration technique involving a minicolumn containing Amberlite XAD-4 impregnated with the complexing agent 4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcinol. A Plackett-Burman 2(7)x3/32 design for seven factors (sample pH, sample flow rate, eluent volume, eluent concentration, eluent flow rate, ethanol percentage in the eluent and minicolumn diameter) was carried out in order to find the significant variables affecting the field continuous preconcentration system (FCPS) and the flow injection elution manifold for cadmium determination in seawater samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Cadmium can be preconcentrated with an enrichment factor of 1053 for a sample volume of 200 mL and a preconcentration time of 57 min. In these experimental conditions, the method provides a linear relationship between absorbance and cadmium concentration in the range from 22-1900 ng L(-1), with a detection limit (3SD) of 6 ng L(-1). The precision (expressed as relative standard deviation) for eleven independent determinations reached values of 8.9-0.8% in cadmium solutions of 50-700 ng L(-1). Analysis of certified reference materials (SLEW-3 and NASS-5) showed good agreement with the certified value. This procedure was applied to the determination of cadmium in seawater from Galicia (Spain).     

Spectrophotometric flow injection methods for zinc determination in pharmaceutical and biological samples.

Zinc ions form a yellow complex with di-2-pyridyl ketone salicyloylhydrazone (DPKSH). This complex showed maximum absorption at 376 nm, and it was used to develop spectrophotometric flow injection methods for Zn(II) determination in different samples. Two types of flow systems were proposed. In the first system, a linear analytical curve was obtained in a concentration range from 0.217 to 4.60 mg L(-1) Zn(II), with a detection limit of 48.8 microg L(-1). In the second system, a minicolumn packed with an anion exchanger resin was used to concentrate Zn(II) as a chlorocomplex, and a linear analytical curve within a concentration range from 0.0824 to 2.06 mg L(-1) Zn(II) was obtained, having a detection limit of 13.9 microg L(-1). The developed methods were applied to biological and pharmaceutical samples, and a great compliance was observed by comparing the results with ones obtained by an atomic absorption technique.     

Determination of 0.1 to 1000 μ g/ml cadmium in a hydrometallurgical zinc refining process stream by a flow injection technique with computer controlled injection method

A computer-controlled flow injection system was developed for the determination of cadmium in a hydrometallurgical zinc refining process stream. An anion-exchange method in acidic potassium iodide medium was used for the on-line separation of cadmium from the matrix zinc. 1-(4-Nitrophenyl)-3-(4-phenylazophenyl)triazene (Cadion) was used as the chromogenic reagent for the spectrophotometric detection of cadmium. In order to expand the dynamic range of the flow injection - spectrophotometry, a computer-aided time-based variable-volume injection method has been employed for the introduction of the sample into the flow injection system. Samples ranging from 0.56 to 350 microl can be delivered by controlling the time period of the sample introduction valve and the flow rate of the carrier solution. The system permits a throughput of 5 samples per hour. The reproducibility has been proven to be satisfactory with a relative standard deviation of less than 6.2% (sample injected: 0.56 microl of 850 microg Cd/ml; n=100) and 5.0% (350 microl of 0.14 microg Cd/ml; n=5). The determination limit was 20 microg Cd/ml with 0.56 microl sample injection and 0.05 microg Cd/ml with 350 microl sample injection (the absolute amount of cadmium injected into the system was 11 ng and 17.5 ng, respectively).     

Field sample preconcentration of copper in sea water using chelating minicolumns subsequently incorporated on a flow-injection-flame atomic absorption spectrometry system.

A field flow preconcentration system for copper determination in seawater is described. Seawater samples are collected and preconcentrated in situ by passing them using a peristaltic pump through a minicolumn packed with Amberlite XAD-4 impregnated with the complexing agent 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol. Thus, copper is preconcentrated without the interference of the saline matrix. Once in the laboratory, the minicolumns loaded with copper are incorporated on a flow injection system and eluted with a small volume of a 20% (v/v) ethanolic solution of 0.5 mol L-1 hydrochloric acid into the nebuliser-burner system of a flame atomic absorption spectrometer. The analytical figures of merit for the determination of copper are as follows: detection limit (3s), 0.06 microgram L-1; precision (RSD), 1.2% for 2 micrograms L-1; enrichment factor, 30 (using 25 mL of sample and 83 microL of eluent). Analysis of certified reference materials (SLEW-3 and NASS-5) showed good agreement with the certified value. This procedure was applied to the determination of copper in seawater samples from Galicia (Spain).     

On-line separation for the speciation of mercury in natural waters by flow injection-cold vapour-atomic absorption spectrometry

Inorganic mercury and methylmercury are determined in natural waters by injecting the filtered samples onto a low cost commercial flow injection system in which an anion exchange microcolumn is inserted after the injection loop (FIA-IE). If hydrochloric acid is used as the carrier solution, the HgCl4(2-) species (inorganic mercury) will be retained by the anion exchanger while the CH3HgCI species (methylmercury) will flow through the resin with negligible retention. Four anion exchangers and seven elution agents were checked, in a batch mode, to search for the best conditions for optimal separation and elution of both species. Dowex M-41 and L-cysteine were finally selected. Mercury detection was performed by cold vapour-electrothermal atomic adsorption spectrometry (HG-ETAAS). Both systems were coupled to perform the continuous on-line separation/detection of both inorganic mercury and methylmercury species. Separation and detection conditions were optimized by two chemometric approaches: full factorial design and central composite design. A limit of detection of 0.4 microg L(-1) was obtained for both mercury species (RSD < 3.0% for 20 microg L(-1) inorganic and methylmercury solutions). The method was applied to mercury speciation in natural waters of the Nerbioi-lbaizabal estuary (Bilbao, North of Spain) and recoveries of more than 95% were obtained.     

在线样品前处理大体积进样离子色谱法直接测定海水中亚硝酸盐、硝酸盐和磷酸盐

采用戴安公司谱睿(Pre)在线样品除氯技术,结合OnGuard Ba柱去除硫酸盐,建立了离子色谱直接测定海水中亚硝酸盐、硝酸盐和磷酸盐的方法。该方法以IonPac AG23为富集柱,高容量IonPac AS23为分离柱,淋洗液自动发生装置在线产生KOH溶液进行梯度淋洗,抑制电导检测。实验结果表明: 样品稀释5～10倍时,直接进样不会干扰目标物测定。当流速为1 mL/min、进样量为500 μL时,海水中NO~2-N、NO~3-N、PO3~4-P的方法检出限分别为0.3、0.4、0.2 μg/L,线性范围分别为10～500 μg/L、14～680 μg/L、3.4～170 μg/L,线性相关系数r均大于0.9990。测得人工海水样品中目标物的加标回收率为92%～106%,相对标准偏差(RSD, n=6)为1.2%～7.7%。该方法一次进样可在13 min内完成分析,具有操作简单快捷、无污染等优点,能满足近海海水中NO~2、NO~3、PO3~4的定量分析要求。     

Flow injection atomic absorption spectrometric determination of iodide using an on-line preconcentration technique

A continuous flow atomic absorption spectrometric system was used to develop an efficient on-line preconcentration-elution procedure for the determination of iodide traces. Chromium (VI) is introduced into the flow system and is reduced to chromium (III) in acid medium proportionally to the iodide present in the sample. The Cr(III) reduced by iodide is retained on a minicolumn packed with a poly(aminophosphonic acid) chelating resin, while unreduced Cr(VI) is not retained. Reduced Cr(III) is preconcentrated by passing the sample containing iodide through the system during 3 min, and is then eluted with 0.5 mol L(-1) hydrochloric acid and determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The detection limit (3sigma) obtained is 2.5 microg L(-1). Other ions typically present in waters do not interfere. The proposed method allows the determination of iodide in the range 6-220 microg L(-1) with a relative standard deviation of 2.7% at a rate of 17 samples h(-1). The method has been applied to the determination of iodide in tap and sea waters.     

On-line complexation/preconcentration system for the determination of lead in wine by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry with ultrasonic nebulization

An on-line lead preconcentration and determination system implemented with inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) with ultrasonic nebulization (USN) in association with flow injection was studied. For the preconcentration of lead, a Pb-quinolin-8-ol complex was formed on-line at pH 6.8 and retained on Amberlite XAD-16 resin. The lead was removed from the microcolumn by countercurrent elution with nitric acid. A total enhancement factor of 225 was obtained with respect to ICP-AES with pneumatic nebulization (15.0 for USN and 15.0 for the column). The detection limit for Pb for the preconcentration of a 10 mL wine sample was 0.15 microg/L. The precision for 10 replicate determinations at a Pb level of 25 microg/L was a relative standard deviation of 2.5%, calculated from the peak heights obtained. The calibration graph obtained by using the preconcentration system for lead was linear with a correlation coefficient of 0.9995 for levels near the detection limit up to > or = 1000 microg/L. The method was successfully applied to the determination of lead in wine samples.     

On-line complexation of zinc with 5-Br-PADAP and preconcentration using a knotted reactor for inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometric determination in river water samples

An on-line zinc preconcentration and determination system implemented with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) associated with flow injection (FI) was studied. The zinc was retained as zinc-2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol (Zn-(5-Br-PADAP)) complex at pH 9.2. The zinc complex was removed from the knotted reactor (KR) with 30% v/v nitric acid. An enrichment factor of 42 was obtained for the KR system with respect to ICP-AES using pneumatic nebulization. The detection limit for the preconcentration of 10 mL of aqueous solution was 0.09 microg/L. The precision for 10 replicate determinations at the 5 microg/L Zn level was 2.3% relative standard deviation (RSD), calculated with the peak heights obtained. The calibration graph using the preconcentration system for zinc was linear with a correlation coefficient of 0.9997 at levels near the detection limits up to at least 100 microg/L. The method was succesfully applied to the determination of zinc in river water samples.     

On-line complexation/cloud point preconcentration for the sensitive determination of dysprosium in urine by flow injection inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry

An on-line dysprosium preconcentration and determination system based on the hyphenation of cloud point extraction (CPE) to flow injection analysis (FIA) associated with ICP-OES was studied. For the preconcentration of dysprosium, a Dy(III)-2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol complex was formed on-line at pH 9.22 in the presence of nonionic micelles of PONPE-7.5. The micellar system containing the complex was thermostated at 30 degrees C in order to promote phase separation, and the surfactant-rich phase was retained in a microcolumn packed with cotton at pH 9.2. The surfactant-rich phase was eluted with 4 mol L(-1) nitric acid at a flow rate of 1.5 mL min(-1), directly in the nebulizer of the plasma. An enhancement factor of 50 was obtained for the preconcentration of 50 mL of sample solution. The detection limit value for the preconcentration of 50 mL of aqueous solution of Dy was 0.03 microg L(-1). The precision for 10 replicate determinations at the 2.0 microg L(-1)Dy level was 2.2% relative standard deviation (RSD), calculated from the peak heights obtained. The calibration graph using the preconcentration system for dysprosium was linear with a correlation coefficient of 0.9994 at levels near the detection limits up to at least 100 microg L(-1). The method was successfully applied to the determination of dysprosium in urine.     

Determination of ultratrace elements in natural waters by solid-phase extraction and atomic spectrometry methods

A study was carried out on the preconcentration of ultratrace amounts of cadmium, lead, manganese, copper and iron from high-salinity aqueous samples and determination by atomic spectrometry methods. Sample volume, amount of resin, loading flow rate, and elution volume were optimized in order to obtain the simultaneous preconcentration of all the analytes. Quantitative recoveries were obtained by using 200 mg of iminodiacetic resin with a loading flow rate of 2 mL min(-1), elution volume of 3 mL and sample volume of 50-450 mL. Only copper in seawater samples was not completely retained by the resin (60-70% recovery), due to unfavorable competition of iminodiacetic-active groups with organically bound metal.To quantify the metals in the eluates, two atomic spectrometry techniques were compared: electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) with simultaneous CCD detection system. Both techniques are suitable for sample analysis with detection limits of 1.0, 4.7, 3.3, 6.8, and 53 ng L(-1) using ETAAS and 12, 122, 3.4, 17, and 21 ng L(-1) using ICP-OES for Cd, Pb, Mn, Cu, and Fe, respectively. Relative standard deviations of the procedures ranged from 1.7 to 14% at the sub-microg L(-1) concentration level. The accuracy of both methods was verified by analyzing various certified reference materials (river water, estuarine water, coastal and off-shore seawater).     

Determination of chromium(III) and total chromium in water by derivative atomic absorption spectrometry using flow injection on-line preconcentration with a double microcolumn.

A rapid and sensitive method has been proposed for the sequential determination of chromium(III) and total chromium in water samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry combined with a flow injection on-line preconcentration on a double-microcolumn. The chromium(III) and total chromium in samples were retained on a double-microcolumn with a cation exchange resin, respectively, and eluted directly into a nebulizer by 3 mol L(-1) HNO3. The characteristic concentration (gives a derivative absorbance of 0.0044) and the detection limit (3sigma) for chromium were 0.512 microg L(-1) and 0.647 microg L(-1) for a preconcentration time of 1 min, respectively. This is an improvement of 20 and 14-times than those of conventional FI-FAAS. The proposed method allows the determination of chromium in the range of 0-90 microg L(-1) with a relative standard deviation of 3.63% at the 10 microg L(-1) level. The method has been applied for the analysis of chromium in reference water of National Research Center for Certified Reference Materials (GBW08607) and other water samples with satisfactory results.     

磺化改性聚四氟乙烯纤维固相萃取-高效液相色谱联用测定奶制品中的三聚氰胺

采用新型固相萃取材料磺化的甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯接枝聚四氟乙烯（PTFE-g-GMA-SO3H）纤维填充微柱预富集和流动注射(FI)与高效液相色谱(HPLC)联用测定样品中痕量的三聚氰胺。 建立了以该纤维作为吸附剂在线测定奶制品中三聚氰胺的新方法。 对三聚氰胺的富集与洗脱条件进行了优化,并得出三聚氰胺的分析特性：该方法对三聚氰胺的检出限为1.13×10-2 mg/L,富集倍数为300,RSD为7.6%（n=9,三聚氰胺质量浓度为0.2 mg/L）。 该方法应用于2种奶制品中的痕量三聚氰胺的测定,样品加标回收率分别为98%和102.5%。     

Multi-element analysis of saline matrices by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry following on-line preconcentration using a knotted reactor.

A versatile preconcentration system for trace element determination by ICPMS was developed. It is composed of a commercial flow injection analysis system (FIAS) retrofitted with a home-made control unit containing three solenoid valves and working concomitantly with the FIAS, permitting selection and segmentation of sample, reagent, washing solution and elution flow. The knotted reactor used had a length of 200 cm and was made from 0.05 cm i.d. PTFE tubing. The method applies ammonium 1-pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDC) as complexant, allowing the preconcentration and quantitative multi-element determination of Cu, Ni, V, Co, Nb, Mo, In, Sb and Bi. Ethanol and 4-methyl-2-pentanone were tested as eluents. Recovery tests using complex matrices and spike concentrations of 200 ng L(-1) showed typical values in the range of 90% to 110%. Relative standard deviations were < 7% for elution with ethanol and < 5% with methyl isobutyl ketone. For simulated freshwater samples using 4-methyl-2-pentanone as an eluent, a sample loading rate of 5.0 ml min(-1), and a preconcentration time of 60 s, detection limits (ng L(-1)) were in the range of 0.02 (Bi) to 30 (Cu). Under these conditions, analytical frequency was about 15 samples per hour. The feasibility of the method was demonstrated by the succesful analysis of wastewater and seawater certified reference materials.     

A sequential injection cold-vapor atomic absorption method for the determination of total mercury

A sequential injection (SI) method for the determination of mercury via cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometry is presented. The method differs from flow injection (FI) cold vapor methods for the determination of mercury because of the simplicity of the system required for the method: one pump, one valve, a gas-liquid separator, and an atomic absorption spectrophotometer equipped with a quartz cell. Under optimal conditions, the method has the following figures of merit: a linear calibration range of 1.0 to 20 microg L(-1); a detection limit of 0.46 microg L(-1); and a precision of 0.90% RSD (8 microg L(-1)). The procedure allows for a sampling rate of one injection per 80 s (excluding sample pretreatment). Results from the determination of mercury in water and fish specimens are also presented. The figures of merit of the method are compared to two other SI methods for the determination of mercury.     

On-line preconcentration system using a minicolumn of polyurethane foam loaded with Me-BTABr for zinc determination by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

In the present paper, an on-line system for preconcentration and determination of zinc by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS) is proposed. It is based in the sorption of zinc(II) ions on a minicolumn packed with polyurethane foam loaded with 2-[2′-(6-methyl-benzothiazolylazo)]-4-bromophenol (Me-BTABr) reagent. Chemical and flow variables as pH effect, sample flow rate and eluent concentration were optimized using univariate methodology. The results demonstrated that zinc can determinate using the sample pH in the range of 6.5-9.2, sample flow rate of 6.0 ml min⁻¹, and the elution step using 0.10 mol l⁻¹ hydrochloric acid solution at flow rate of 5.5 ml min⁻¹. In these conditions, an enrichment factor of 23 and a sampling rate of 48 samples per hour were achieved. The detection limit (DL, 3σ) as IUPAC recommendation was 0.37 μg l⁻¹ and the precision (assessed as the relative standard deviation, R.S.D.) reached values of 5.9-1.8% in zinc solutions of 1.0-10.0 μg l⁻¹ concentration, respectively. The method was successfully applied to the determination of trace amounts of zinc in natural water samples from Salvador (Brazil).     

Improved method for the determination of zinc pyrithione in environmental water samples incorporating on-line extraction and preconcentration coupled with liquid chromatography atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mass spectrometry

A method has been developed for the determination of zinc pyrithione (ZnPT) in environmental water samples using monolithic reversed-phase silica columns for rapid on-line large volume solid phase extraction in tandem with on-line matrix removal using sacrificial strong anion exchange (SAX) columns. This is coupled with reversed-phase liquid chromatography with atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mass spectrometric detection. Limits of detection in spiked river water samples, using a 200 mL preconcentration volume, were determined as 18 ng L(-1), with a limit of quantitation of 62 ng L(-1). The percentage recovery from spiked river water was found to be 72+/-9 (n=3 extractions), whilst overall method precision, following 10 repeat complete analyses was found to be 27% RSD at 1 microg L(-1). Linearity was determined over the concentration range of 0.25-10 microg L(-1) and the calculated regression coefficient was R(2)=0.9802. The method was used to investigate the environmental fate of zinc pyrithione in waters and its partition coefficient between sediment and water phases.