Determination of Trace Molybdenum in Biological Matrices by Neutron Activation Analysis

Based on consecutive extractions using bismuth diethyldithiocarbamate and thallium diethyldithiocarbamate as reagents, molybdenum was selectively and highly enriched from biological matrices, and then subjected to neutron activation analysis. Most of interfering elements, e.g., Na, K, Br, P, Fe, U, etc. were simultaneouly removed and the preconcentrated samples always showed only the r rays from molybdenum after neutron bombardment. Thus, molybdenum in the biological matrices could be accurately determined.     

Simultaneous determination of arsenic,mercury, antimony and selenium in biological materials with prior collection of gaseous products followed by neutron activation analysis

A method combining prior collection of gaseous products with subsequent neutron activation analysis has been developed for simultaneous determination of traces of arsenic, mercury, antimony and selenium in biological materials. The generation of hydrides of arsenic, antimony and selenium and cold vapor of mercury in the vapor generaion and collection system was investigated by the use of radiotracers of the respective elements. The result indicates that selenium and mercury can be completely evaporated from the digested sample solution in 5M HCl with the addition of 5% sodium tetrahydroborate solution, while additional reduction proces by potassium iodide and ascorbic acid is needed for complete evaporation of arsenic and antimony. The gaseous products were collected in a quartz tube for neutron irradiation. The detection limits of these elements were fount to be in the range of 10^–7 to 10^–8 g under the present experimental conditions. The reliability was checked with NBS standard reference materials.     

Determination of rare earth elements in Taiwan monazite by chemical neutron activation analysis

Taiwan monazite is a unique mineral obtained from the heavy sand found in the river floor of Tzuo-suei river and En-suei river. Both rivers are flowing parallel with separated narrow area into the sea at southwestern coast of Taiwan. The characteristic of monazite is that it contains considerable rare earth elements (REEs). REEs are considered very useful elements in the local industries and scientific researches such as ceramic, semiconductors, and glass optics. In this study, chemical neutron activation analysis (CNAA) was used to determine the contents of REEs in Taiwan monazite. A few milligram of monazite was digested in the microwave oven for 25 minutes with mixed acid (conc. HNO₃ and HClO₄). REEs were preconcentrated by hydrated magnesium oxide and CNAA was performed.     

The speciation of arsenic in seawater and marine species

Dissolved inorganic arsenic species were determined in natural waters and selected marine species. Prior to irradiation by NAA samples were preconcentrated and the As(III) and As(V) species separated by APCDT-chloroform extraction. Marine samples were digested by microwave heating. Interpretation of data was achieved by comparing the ratio of As(III)/As(V) in the samples and correlating it with the prevailing environmental conditions.     

Spectrophotometric determination of lithium with Quinizarin in drugs and serum

An endemic peripheral vascular disorder resulting in gangrene of the lower extremities, especially of the feet, is called 'Blackfoot disease (BFD)'. Clinically, the symptoms and signs of Blackfoot disease are similar to those of Buerger's disease. In this study, the objective is to examine the amount of arsenic, mercury, zinc, lead, and selenium in urine samples from BFD patients. After pre-treatment with acids, the samples were digested by means of a microwave oven. The determination of arsenic mercury, zinc, lead and selenium were by hydride atomic absorption spectrometry (HAAS), cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS), flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS), graphite furnace absorption spectrometry (GFAAS), respectively. The results indicated that urinary arsenic, mercury and lead of the BFD patients were significantly higher than those of the normal controls, while urinary zinc and selenium were significantly lower than those of the normal controls. The possibility that these elements are involved in the etiology of diseases is discussed.     

Speciation of arsenic in water,sediment, and plants of the Moira watershed,Canada, using HPLC coupled to high resolution ICP-MS

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with high-resolution sector field ICP-MS was applied to the speciation of arsenic in environmental samples collected from the Moira watershed, Ontario, Canada. Arsenic contamination in Moira River and Moira Lake from historic gold mine operations is of increasing environmental concern to the local community. In this study, the current arsenic contamination status in water, sediment, and plants was investigated. Elevated levels of arsenic in the surface water of up to 75 ng mL(-1) in Moira River and 50 ng mL(-1) in Moira Lake were detected, 98% of which was present as arsenate. High concentrations of arsenic (>300 ng mL(-1)), mainly present as arsenite, were detected in sediment porewaters. A sediment profile of As from the West basin of Moira Lake showed lower As concentrations compared with data from the 1990s. An optimized extraction procedure using a phosphoric acid-ascorbic acid mixture demonstrated that an unknown "As-complex" which may consist of As, sulfide and organic matter is potentially responsible for the release of arsenite from the sediment to the overlying water column. Arsenic concentrations in plant samples ranged from 2.6 to 117 mg kg(-1), dry weight. Accumulation of arsenic was observed in submerged plants collected from Moira River and Moira Lake. Only a small part of the arsenic (6.3-16.1%) in the plants was extractable with methanol-water (9:1), and most of this arsenic (70-93%) was inorganic arsenic. A variety of organic arsenic compounds, including simple methylated compounds (methylarsonic acid and dimethylarsinic acid), trimethylarsine oxide, and tetramethylarsonium cation were detected at trace levels. No arsenobetaine and arsenocholine was found in any plant sample. An unknown compound, most probably an arsenosugar was detected in the two submerged plants, coontail ( Ceratophyllum demersum) and long-stemmed waterwort ( Elatine triandra). These submerged plants are constantly exposed to high arsenic concentrations in the surrounding water. Apparently, they are able to grow in this environment without invoking the same biochemical defence known from marine algae to detoxify inorganic arsenic. The detoxification mechanism of these plants remains unknown.     

Simultaneous determination of traces of iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, mercury and lead in water by energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometry after preconcentration as their piperazino-1,4-bis(dithiocarbamate) complexes

A bidentate chelating agent has been proposed to preconcentrate seven metal ions dissolved in an aqueous sample for their simultaneous determination using energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The metal ions are precipitated as their polymeric piperazino-1,4-bis(dithiocarbamate) chelates, which are then collected by vacuum filtration on a Millipore membrane filter for direct examination by x-ray fluorescence analysis. Iron, cobalt, nickel, copper and zinc are determined by means of their K x-rays and mercury and lead by means of their L x-rays. A detection limit in the μg1⁻¹ range can be achieved for all metals tested in 250-ml water samples with a counting time of 600 s. Effective precipitation of all metals occurs at pH 6–7. The recoveries of eight analyses of the metals in a multielement standard using the proposed method ranged from 97 to 105% and the precision ranged from 2.3 to 3.1%. High concentrations of calcium and magnesium do not interfere with the method. The method is simple, sensitive and accurate, and has been used for the simultaneous determination of the seven metals under study in environmental samples and synthetic mixtures.     

Determination of mercury and organic mercury contents in Malaysian seafood

The contents of mercury and organic mercury in various types of seafood from various location in Malaysia were determined by neutron activation analysis. Total mercury was determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) whilst organic mercury was determined by INAA after chemical separation. Samples were digested in acid media and into the solution was added copper ion and KBr to release organic mercury compound from sulphur component of the tissue. The organic mercury was then extracted into toluene and then treated with cysteine paper to convert the compound into sub-organo-mercury from. The paper was then transferred into polyethylene vials and irradiated in the MINT TRIGA Reactor. Analytical results of organic mercury in Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta), Spanish mackerel (Scomberomurus commersoni), shrimp (Peneaus sp.), squid (Loligo sp.) and cockle (Anadara granosa) is in the range of 45%–94% of the total mercury.     

Simultaneous estimation of copper, zinc, cadmium and mercury in biological material by neutron activation analysis

Simultaneous determination of copper, zinc, cadmium and mercury with high sensitivity is possible by neutron activation analysis. After irradiation, the samples are digested and an initial separation of the four elements made by means of an ion-exchange resin. The elements in the separated fractions are then treated to give radio-chemical purity, precipitated, and their activities measured. A purely instrumental technique for the analysis of zinc in samples of biological material is also described. The samples are irradiated for a week and after the activity has decayed for about three months it is measured on a gamma-spectrometer.     

Mercury,arsenic and cadmium in the unfried and fried fish

Determination of mercury, arsenic and cadmium in unfried and fried fish samples has been carried out by neutron activation followed by chemical separation to remove the interfering activities of copper, zinc etc. This paper presents results of finding on losses of mercury, arsenic and cadmium in the unfried and fried fish.     

Determination of mercury in human urine by neutron activation analysis,with lead diethyldithiocarbamate as a preconcentration agent

Lead diethyldithiocarbamate is an effective reagent for preconcentration of mercury in urine for neutron activation analysis. Sodium and bromine are removed from the sample by this procedure. As lead diethyldithiocarbamate is insensitive to neutron activation, radiochemical separation is not needed after neutron irradiation. Results from the analysis of urine collected from workers in caustic soda manufacturing plants are discussed.     

Preconcentration of inorganic mercury and organic mercury with solvent extraction for neutron activation analysis

A preconcentration method combined with neutron activation technique for the analysis of organic and inorganic mercury in waste water samples at ppb levels is presented. The inorganic mercury is extracted in CCl₄ solution with lead diethyldithiocarbamate reagent and the organic mercury is extracted in C₆H₆ solution. Interfering activities of sodium and bromine are removed from the irradiated samples by this procedure. Two different solvent extraction procedures are also described in detail.     

Routine determination of mercury,arsenic and selenium by radiochemical Neutron Activation Analysis

A method for the determination of mercury, arsenic and selenium by neutron activation analysis is described. Radiochemical separations are performed by selective distillation followed by electrolysis of mercury on gold and precipitation of arsenic and/or selenium by reduction to the elemental form. The chemical yields are 80–90% for mercury and 90–100% for arsenic and selenium. Interference tests have been carried out with reference to those elements most likely to interfere with the analysis. Detection limits for mercury, arsenic and selenium using 0.1 g of sample are 0.2 ng g^–1, 2 ng g^–1 and 3 ng g^–1, resp. Detection limits can be improved using greater sample size and neutron flux density. Results from the analysis of several NBS standard reference materials are given.     

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.     

微波消解－ICP-OES测定钛渣中常量或微量杂质

钛渣样品采取高压密闭微波加热方式以HF、HNO3进行消解,采用电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法(ICP-OES)直接同时测定常量、微量杂质铁、铅、砷、铬、铜、磷、锰、钒、镁、钙。考察了消解条件、基体钛以及共存元素之间的干扰影响、等离子体参数等测定条件,通过优选元素分析谱线、以及采用基体匹配与同步背景校正相结合的方式消除光谱干扰和基体效应。测定50、60、70、80、90等不同品位钛渣中杂质元素的结果表明:方法检测范围涵盖了0.005%～10.0%的钙、镁、铁,以及0.005%～2.0%的铅、砷、铬、铜、磷、锰、钒,校准曲线相关系数大于0.999 2;背景等效浓度0.002%～0.0015%,检测限0.0009～0.0038%;含量不小于1.0%的RSD低于0.677%,在0.010%～0.10%含量范围内RSD低于3.85%;回收率为90.0%～108.0%。以本法对70、80、90 3个高钛渣标准样品的定值分析结果与传统化学方法对照一致。     

密闭罐溶样–氢化物发生–原子荧光光谱法测定中药中的汞和砷

建立了密闭罐溶样–氢化物发生–原子荧光光谱法测定中药中痕量汞和砷的分析方法。采用密闭罐溶解复杂基体中药样品,进行易挥发元素分析的样品前处理,技术简单,快速,能耗低。汞和砷的质量浓度分别在0~10μg/L和0~200μg/L范围内与荧光强度成线性关系,线性相关系数均大于0.99。汞、砷的检出限分别为0.014,0.086μg/L;测定结果的相对标准偏差不大于4.67%(n=5);加标回收率分别为99.0%~106.4%,95.2%~101.7%。该方法操作简便,可用于中药中汞、砷元素的质量控制。     

Metal speciation in biological fluids — a review

The literature on the speciation of metal ions in biological fluids is comprehensively reviewed. Critical examination on this subject reveals that major work has been done in blood and urine. Speciation in materials like milk has not yet been widely studied. On the other hand, only few references could be found on sweat, saliva, cell lysate, cerebrospinal, seminal, tear and bronchoalveolar fluids. The topics studied for these fluids were mainly the speciation of arsenic, mercury, aluminium and selenium. Work on the speciation of other elements like zinc, chromium, cadmium, lead, copper, iron etc. have also been carried out in such matrices. The present literature survey includes also a critical comment about the sampling and storage of the fluids, general methodologies and analytical details of the developed methods for studying such metal ion speciation.     

应用多元统计技术研究动物产品中重金属的分布特征

采用直方图频率说明、参数分布拟合假设检验、非参数密度估计等多元统计技术,研究了铅、镉、汞、砷在不同动物源性产品中的分布特征,通过非参数方法给出了4种元素在不同产品中的密度分布函数曲线和经验分布函数曲线,以此解释了元素的分布特征,掌握了重金属的累积富集规律。     

Determination of arsenic,chromium, mercury,selenium and zinc in tropical marine fish by neutron activation

Determination of arsenic, chromium, mercury, selenium and zinc in several commonly consumed tropical marine fishes have been carried out by neutron activation followed by radiochemical separation to remove the interfering activities of sodium, potassium, bromine, and phosphorus, etc., in order to establish the baseline data and to measure the levels of contamination, if any. The results of this study positively indicate that the marine fishes of Bangladesh have concentrations much below the permissible levels for these toxic elements. A radiochemical scheme for the separation of seven trace elements in biological material is also presented in this paper.     

Neutron activation analysis for sodium traces in magnesium

When sodium traces are determined in magnesium matrices by neutron activation analysis, the reaction ²⁴Mg(n,p)²⁴Na interferes by simulating spurious sodium concentrations (about 400–500 p.p.m. for usual irradiation positions in the RS 1 water-pool reactor). A preliminary separation of the sodium traces from the bulk of the matrix by electrudeposition on a mercury cathode and recovery in water by amalgam decomposition, prevented the fast-neutron effects. Electrolysis for 4 h gave almost quantitative recovery of sodium (93±5%) and satisfactory decontamination factors for magnesium (1.5 to 5. 10³). The method is limited by the blank correction (14 μg Na with a glass electrolysis cell). Some results for magnesium samples with both destructive and non-destructive techniques are reported.