Determination of mercury,arsenic and cadmium in fish by neutron activation

Determination of mercury, arsenic and cadmium in fish has been carried out by neutron activation followed by chemical separation to remove the interfering activities of copper, zinc, etc. Some of the common varieties of fish have been analysed and their results are presented.     

微波消解-原子荧光光谱法同时测定鱼体中砷和汞

为建立微波消解-原子荧光光谱法同时测定鱼体中砷和汞的测定方法,采用微波消解方法,双道原子荧光光谱法同时测定了鱼体中砷和汞的含量。结果表明,砷与汞的线性范围分别为0.2~2.0μg/L,0.0~50.0μg/L;相关系数分别为r=0.999 8和r=0.999 5;砷回收率为96.5%~101.5%之间,相对标准偏差(n=11)为1.22%,检出限为0.004 2μg/L;汞回收率为98.6%~103.0%,相对标准偏差(n=11)为0.67%,检出限为0.009 6μg/L。用该法测定鱼类中砷和汞,方法灵敏度高、操作简便快速、结果准确可靠。     

Radiochemical determination of mercury,arsenic, cadmium,zinc and copper in biological materials

Extraction procedure for mercury, arsenic, cadmium, copper and zinc in biological materials is proposed. Mercury and copper are extracted with dithizone followed by the separation of mercury with tri-octyl-amine (TOA). Arsenic, cadmium and zinc are extracted as diethyldithiocarbamates. The procedure is applied for the analysis of some reference materials and autopsy human samples of kidneys, liver, heart, spleen and hair.     

Concentrations of hazardous heavy metals in environmental samples collected in Xiamen, China, as determined by vapor generation non-dispersive atomic fluorescence spectrometry.

Non-dispersive atomic fluorescence spectrometry (NDAFS) coupled with vapor generation (VG) sample introduction was applied to the determination of the concentrations of hazardous heavy metals, such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury, in seawater, soils and total airborne particulate matter (PM) collected around the Xiamen area in China. Almost 100% sample introduction efficiency was achieved by using thiourea and ascorbic acid for the pre-reduction of As(V) to As(III), K3Fe(CN)6 and tartaric acid for pre-oxidation of Pb(II) to Pb(IV), and masking the interferences arising from the co-existing transition metals to As, Cd, Hg and Pb during their vapor generation process. Moreover, a novel sample pretreatment device was developed to avoid the loss of mercury, lead, cadmium and arsenic during sample pretreatment. With such methods, the detection limit (DL) of arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury was down to 0.08, 0.03, 0.05, 0.01 ng mL(-1) (3sigma), respectively. The relative standard deviations (RSD, n = 11) for arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury at 10 ng mL(-1) were 0.9%, 1.6%, 1.3% and 2.0%, respectively. The concentrations of hazardous heavy metals in the environmental samples collected in Xiamen, China are in the range from 0.02 +/- 0.001 ng mL(-1) in seawater to 15.3 +/- 0.2 microg g(-1) in soils. Besides flame/GF-AAS and ICP-AES/MS, VG-NDAFS should be another choice for the determination of hazardous heavy metals in environmental samples.     

Removal of exogenously bound elements from human hair by various washing procedures and determination by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A review of the literature shows that a variety of washing procedures to remove external contamination from hair have been proposed, but as yet no standardised procedures are available. In this study, methods for the pre-treatment and determination of antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury and selenium in human hair by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) are developed.Investigations of various washing procedures to remove external contaminants show that in unexposed hair samples cadmium, lead and mercury are significantly removed from hair using a 0.1 M HCl wash, with 87, 73 and 5%, respectively being washed-off. The removal of antimony, arsenic and chromium from unexposed hair is, however, more efficient with 1% (v/v) sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), with 43, 40 and 13% of each element, respectively being washed-off. Selenium is not removed from the hair by any of the washing methods studied. For the digestion of hair samples a digestion mixture of nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide is used.Experiments with simulated sweat spiked with each of these elements show that exogenously bound chromium, cadmium and lead are removed after washing with 0.1 M HCl. In contrast, antimony, arsenic, selenium and mercury irreversibly bind and, thus, are not removed with any of the washing solutions investigated. This work also compares hair levels of these elements in an unexposed and exposed group using the method developed.     

Adsorption of toxic mercury,lead, cadmium,and arsenic ions on black phosphorous nanosheet: first-principles calculations

Structural Chemistry - The applicability of the black phosphorus monolayer (BPML) material to remove cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic ions from contaminated environments was evaluated. The...     

Industrial wastewater treatment for toxic heavy metals using natural materials as adsorbants

The presence of toxic heavy elements such as arsenic, cadmium and mercury in industrial wastewater and waterways is a serious pollution problem. The treatment of such contaminated water by conventional techniques, which often includes an ion-exchange or similar step, is expensive. This paper examines the use of natural materials such as hair, and certain plants, which are inexpensive, for the absorption and hence the clean up of heavy elements from polluted water. Our results show that these natural materials concentrate the heavy elements, in certain cases, to the extent of up to 500 fold or even better. The contact time required is of the order of several hours. The capacities of absorption vary from about 1 g/kg to about 5 g/kg for mercury, and are lower for arsenic and cadmium. The results show that with hair, nearly 10,000 liters of mercury contaminated water, a typical daily output from a 100 ton chlor-alkali plant, can be treated with about 1/2 kg of hair valued at about 25 cents. This makes the process extremely cost-effective compared to the conventional processes now in use.     

Atomic absorption spectrometry - a valuable tool for trace and ultratrace determinations of metals and metalloids in biological materials

This paper commences with a review of important improvements in Atomic Absorption instrumentation particularly of benefit for the performance of analyses in biological materials. This is followed by examples for the optimization of the initial steps of analytical procedures and a new instrumental concept for the ultratrace analysis of mercury by a cold-vapour technique. Further proven and still useful as well as new methodological approaches for the determination of mercury, arsenic, cadmium, lead and nickel, mainly in body fluids, at normal and elevated levels are summarized from the experience of the author, which not only demonstrates the present and future potential but also some obviously still existing limitations.     

Extraction and separation of mercury from toxic elements arsenic,cadmium, antimony and thallium,and other metal ions

Extraction of mercury with 3-methyl-1-phenyl-4-trifluoroacetyl-pyrazolin-5-one /FAP/ in chloroform has been described. Maximum extraction /97.3%/ and a distribution coefficient /D/ of 36.5 have been achieved at pH 8. Among the anions tested, thiourea, thiosulphate and cyanide mask the extraction of mercury. Solution of O. 2M KCN was found most suitable stripping agent for mercury. Decontamination data show that mercury can be separated from toxic elements arsenic, cadmium, antimony and thallium; and from other metal ions i. e. Ga/III/, In/III/, Ge/IV/, Sn/II/, Fe/II/, Ir/IV/ and Pt/IV/. A few separations of analytical and radiochemical importance have been discussed.     

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Water,Sediment and Fish from Izmit Bay,Turkey

Abstract

Mercury, cadmium and lead levels in water, sediment and fish samples from Izmit Bay, Turkey have been determined. Sampling and analysis methods are described. Variations of heavy metal concentrations from different sampling stations are discussed. Results indicate that the levels of mercury and cadmium were highest in the vicinity of a chlor-alkali plant while the highest concentration of lead was near a metallic pipe factory. The amounts of heavy metals found in the shoreline sediment samples were similar to those found in fish species from the bay.     

Determination of some toxic trace elements in Indian tobacco and its smoke

Toxic trace metals like mercury, arsenic and cadmium have been determined in widely used Indian chewing tobacco and cigarette tobacco by neutron activation followed by sequential radiochemical separation (RNAA). Differential Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (DPASV) has been used for the estimation of lead, cadmium and copper in cigarette tobacco and its smoke aerosols. The reliability of the data has been assured by analyzing standard reference materials, bovine liver (NBS-1577) and orchard leaves (NBS-1571), and intercomparison of the Pb, Cd and Cu values by three techniques, namely, RNAA, DPASV and Energy Dispersive X-ray Flourescence technique (EDXRF). The levels of Hg, Cd, As, Pb and Cu in cigarette and chewing tobacco and the estimated intake of Cd, Cu and Pb to the smoker are presented and discussed.     

土壤-温郁金体系中重金属的吸收富集研究

通过盆栽实验研究了铅（Pb）、镉（Cd）、铜（Cu）、汞（Hg）和砷（As）污染条件下,温郁金和种植土壤中重金属含量,分析了植物对重金属的吸收富集能力。结果表明,随着土壤中污染物的投加量增强,Cu、Pb、Cd、As元素主要集中在根部,而Hg元素由于其极易挥发的特性,其块根中含量反而随着Hg投加量的增加而减小。温郁金对不同元素的吸收富集能力不同,对Cd的富集能力最强,对Hg的富集能力最弱。     

Heavy metal determination in aquatic species for food purposes

New analytical procedures and sample mineralizations are proposed regarding the determination of arsenic, selenium, copper, lead, cadmium, zinc and mercury in matrices involved in food chain as mussel, clams and fishes. As regard As, Se, Cu, Pb, Cd and Zn determinations, H2SO4-HNO3 acidic mixture is used for the digestion of each matrix. In the case of Hg the sample digestion is performed using a concentrated suprapure H2SO4-K2Cr2O7 mixture and the results are compared with those from other conventional methods. Differential pulse cathodic (DPCSV) and anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) are employed for determining simultaneously selenium, arsenic and copper, lead, cadmium, zinc, respectively, while mercury determination is carried out by the cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS) with reduction with SnCl2. The voltammetric measurements were performed using a conventional three-electrode cell and the ammonia-ammonium chloride buffer (pH 9.3) as supporting electrolyte. For all the elements, in addition to the detection limits, precision and accuracy data are also reported: the former, expressed as relative standard deviation (Sr), and the latter, expressed as relative error (e), are in all cases between 3 to 6%.     

HG/LT-GC/ICP-MS coupling for identification of metal(loid) species in human urine after fish consumption

Human urine samples after fish consumption have been investigated by low-temperature gas chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric detection after sample derivatization by hydride generation (HG/LT-GC/ICP-MS). This analytical technique enabled the identification of organometal(loid) compounds in human urine; species of the six elements germanium, arsenic, selenium, tin, antimony, and mercury were determined. Three different organic selenium species, two germanium species, seven arsenic species, four tin species, five antimony species, and one species of mercury were found; 18 of the 22 species detected could be identified. The relative detection limits ranged between 2 and 12 pg x L(-1) (x=element). These organometal(loid) compounds probably build up in the human body under the influence of micro-organisms, in the presence of hydrogen sulfide and methane, in the human intestine.     

Effect of cadmium on the accumulation of arsenic in a marine green alga,Dunaliellasp.

To investigate the effect of cadmium on the accumulation of arsenic by Dunaliella sp., the arsenic accumulated in the alga was determined as a function of time for coexistence of the algae with arsenic and cadmium, with batch methodology. Growth of Dunaliella sp. was affected by addition of arsenic (Na₂HAsO₄.7H₂O) and cadmium (CdCl.2.5H₂O). Growth inhibition of Dunaliella sp. was accelerated by coexistence of arsenic and cadmium. The content of arsenic in Dunaliella sp. became a maximum at 15 h after exposure. The arsenic content in the cells was influenced by addition of cadmium to the solution; the arsenic content in the alga derived from growth in a 10 mg As dm ^?3 solution decreased from 2.7 mg g^?1 in the absence of cadmium to 0.35 mg g^?1 for the addition of 100 mg Cd dm^?3. Dunaliella sp. accumulated cadmium in large quantities but, in conditions of coexistence with arsenic and cadmium, the cadmium content in cells decreased with an increase in the concentration of arsenic in the growth medium Cadmium accumulation by Dunaliella sp. was observed in dead cells although arsenic accumulation was not observed. About 85% of arsenic in the cells was in the water-soluble fraction. On the other hand, about 42% of cadmium in the cells was in the water-soluble fraction, and about 55% was in a fraction soluble in cold trichloroacetic acid.     

Comparisons of elemental concentrations in hair of the inhabitants of heavy metal polluted areas with those of normal Japanese

Human hair collected from the mercury, arsenic and cadmium polluted areas has been analysed by instrumental neutron activation method. The concentrations of 27 elements were compared with those of normal Japanese. Correlation coefficients of logarithmic concentrations between the elements were calculated and their significance levels were determined. Factor contribution and factor loadings of the elements were calculated for each factor by making use of principal component analysis. The factor score of each sample was also calculated for each factor to examine the effects of the contamination by heavy metals on individuals.     

Direct analysis of solids for trace elements by combined electrothermal furnace/quartz T-tube/flame atomic absorption spectrometry

The analysis of solid samples by a combined graphite-furnace/air-acetylene flame technique based on generally available atomic absorption instrumentation is described. Samples are injected into the furnace and atomized via a slotted T-tube in the flame. Non-specific absorption is greatly reduced compared to that obtained in graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (a.a.s.). Sensitivity is reduced by 10–200 times compared to the direct graphite-furnace method, so that large sample sizes (up to 0.2 g) can be used; this minimizes problems caused by sample inhomogeneity. The elements considered are cadmium, lead, copper, arsenic, cobalt, mercury, antimony and selenium. Volatile elements such as mercury and arsenic can be determined without the need for a char step. Simple calibration procedures are possible in some cases and the precision is usually better than 10%. Background reduction capabilities are compared with those of conventional graphite-furnace a.a.s., the isothermal-furnace and the hollow graphite T-tube techniques. Analytical capabilities and results are presented for the direct determination of trace elements in numerous biological and some geological samples.     

Determination of Arsenic and Mercury in Various Environmental Matrices by Chemical Neutron Activation Analysis

Chemical neutron activation analysis was developed for determining trace amounts of arsenic and mercury in a variety of environmental matrices, including water, sediment, rock, plants, animal organs, etc: The adsorption procedure via magnesium oxide as the agent was applied to preconcentrate arsenic from the digested environmental matrices where arsenic in the form of As(V) ion could be highly efficiently adsorbed by hydrous magnesium oxide. On the other hand, the extraction procedure via lead diethyldithiocarbamate as the agent was applied to preconcentrate mercury from the digested environmental matrices where mercury in the form of Hg(II) ion could be highly efficiently extracted into the solution of lead diethyldithiocarbamte in dichloromethane. Both of the preconcentrated materials prepared ultimately in the solid states, i.e., arsenic in magnesium oxide and mercury in lead diethyldithiocarbamte were taken to be neutron irradiated. The γ spectra of the preconcentrated samples irradiated generally showed clear peaks of the product radionuclides from arsenic or from mercury by the different separation procedures. The possible interfering elements such as Na, Br, etc., were prominently minimized in respect of most of the preconcentrated samples. The reliability and accuracy of the proposed analytical methods for detecting arsenic and mercury can be confirmed by the assay of commercial standard reference materials including sediment, rock, plants, and animal organs.     

贵州凤冈县宜茶区土壤重金属含量状况及污染评价

对贵州凤冈县14个乡镇的宜茶土壤中汞、镉、铅、砷、铬、铜6种重金属含量进行统计分析,根据NY/T 5020-2001《无公害食品茶叶产地环境条件》、NY 5199-2002《有机茶产地环境条件》、NY/T 5295-2004《无公害食品产地环境评价准则》进行评价,为凤冈县茶园建设规划提供理论依据。     

Application of Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry in the Textile Industry

 In the present study, the determination of arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, nickel, mercury and zinc in various cloth samples produced in Kayseri-Turkey was performed after extraction with artificial sweat solution and decomposition with nitric acid. TXRF is shown to be suitable for the determination of 7 trace elements, down to the 0.001 (cobalt) to 0.004 (copper) mg/kg level in textile extract except for mercury and cadmium. The extractable part of the toxic metals by artificial sweat solution is relatively low. In a few extracts the concentration values of Pb and Ni have exceeded their critical values of 0.2 mg/kg for lead and 1.0 mg/kg for nickel given by ?ko-Tex and determined for babys cloths. In addition, it was observed that the element pattern of textile samples resembled ‘finger print type’, TXRF-spectra. This technique can also be used for the identification of textile sample in forensic investigation. Received April 16, 2001 Revision October 1, 2001.