Determination of 24 elements in four algae reference materials by neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Four algae reference materials, IAEA-391, 392, 393 and IAEA-140, prepared by the International Atomic Energy Agency for intercomparison under different preparation conditions were analyzed for 24 elements. Conventional neutron activation analysis (NAA) was used to determine Al, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Sb, V and Zn and epithermal NAA using BN and Cd as shielding material for I, Br, As, Ni, Mo and Cd. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) as a complementary and comparative method was applied to determine Pb, Sn, Ni, Sr, Rb, As, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, V, Mo and Zn. Two analytical quality control standard reference materials IAEA-V-10 (hay powder) and IAEA-331 (spinach) were analyzed simultaneously with real samples. The results agree quite well with each other and with the certified values.     

Elemental analysis of freshwater samples collected in the former USSR by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Approximately 100 freshwater samples (ground water, surface water, etc.) collected in the former USSR were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Standard water, NBS SRM 1643b, was used for quality control. By using the semi-quantitative analysis mode, analytical data and certified values (or informative values) were in agreement within ±30%. Concentrations of B, Ni, Se, Sr and Ba were found to be higher than global means. Concentration levels of Ag and Pb tended to be lower. For Be, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, Tl, and Bi, the concentrations were almost equal to the global levels.     

Mg(OH)_2共沉淀和直接稀释联用ICP-MS法准确测定海水中的多种常量-微量元素

对海水中多种常量/微量元素分别用Mg(OH)_2共沉淀和直接稀释ICP-MS法进行方法比较研究,分别确定了这些元素适宜的准确分析方法,为海水中常量/微量元素的ICP-MS测定提供了实用的检测手段。结果表明,Mg(OH)_2共沉淀法能够实现对V,Cr,Mn,Co,Cd及稀土元素(La,Ce,Pr,Nd,Sm,Eu,Gd,Tb,Dy,Ho,Er,Tm,Yb,Lu)等19种微量元素的分离富集和准确测定;10倍直接稀释法能够同时准确测定海水中B,Sr,Li,Rb,I,V,Cr,As,Cd,U,Mo,Cu,Mn 13种微量元素,但不适合Zn,Ni,Co和Pb,以及稀土元素等在海水中浓度过低元素的测定;两种方法对适宜测定的元素均操作简便快速,具有较高的准确度和精密度。这两种方法联用,就可用约50 mL的海水实现大洋和近海海水中Co,La,Ce,Pr,Nd,Sm,Eu,Gd,Tb,Dy,Ho,Er,Tm,Yb,Lu(这15个元素采用Mg(OH)_2共沉淀法)及B,Sr,Li,Rb,I,V,Cr,As,Cd,U,Mo,Cu,Mn(这13个元素采用10倍直接稀释法)等28种元素的准确测定。     

Assessment of trace elements characteristics and human health risk of exposure to ambient PM2.5 in Hangzhou,China

A method for simultaneously determining the trace elements in particulate matter (PM) (PM2.5) by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was established. The PM2.5-loaded filter samples were digested under the optimised conditions including a mixture of HNO₃–HCl–HF with ultrasonication proceeding at 70°C for 2 h. Recoveries of 90.83–103.33% were achieved for 20 elements (Co, Sr, Ag, Cd, Sb, La, Ce, Sm, W etc.) in NIST standard reference material 1648a (urban PM). PM2.5 samples were collected at urban site in Hangzhou from August 2015 to November 2015. PM2.5 concentrations of 15% sampling days exceeded the daily limitation and the mean concentrations of PM2.5 from August to November reached the 66.4% of the limitation. PM2.5 concentrations in summer were higher than that in autumn. The concentration of Zn was highest, following with Al, Pb, Mn, Cu and As. Significant enrichment was observed in Mn, Zn, Pb, Ag, V, Ni, Cu, As, Se, Hg, Co, Cd and W, which was probably induced by vehicular exhaust, oil and residual fuel combustion and industrial emissions. The daily mass concentrations of PM2.5 and elements fluctuated significantly. Rainfall could significantly reduce the concentration of Ti, Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Hg, Sr, Ag, Cd, Sb, La, Ce, Sm and Pb, and the risk levels of carcinogenic elements and non-carcinogenic elements in rain day were significantly lower (43.7–81.4%) than those in non-rain day. The risk levels of Co, Cd and As could lead to adverse health outcomes through the respiratory system, which should deserve more attention, while the risk levels of Ni and non-carcinogenic elements (Hg, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, V) were under average risk acceptance.     

Evaluation of strontium isotope abundance ratios in combination with multi-elemental analysis as a possible tool to study the geographical origin of ciders

In order to evaluate alternative analytical methodologies to study the geographical origin of ciders, both multi-elemental analysis and Sr isotope abundance ratios in combination with multivariate statistical analysis were estimated in 67 samples from England, Switzerland, France and two Spanish regions (Asturias and the Basque Country). A methodology for the precise and accurate determination of the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotope abundance ratio in ciders by multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) was developed. Major elements (Na, K, Ca and Mg) were measured by ICP-AES and minor and trace elements (Li, Be, B, Al, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Y, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, W, Tl, Pb, Bi, Th and U) were measured by ICP-MS using a collision cell instrument operated in multitune mode. An analysis of variance (ANOVA test) indicated that group means for B, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Se, Cd, Cs, Ce, W, Pb, Bi and U did not show any significant differences at the 95% confidence level, so these elements were rejected for further statistical analysis. Another group of elements (Li, Be, Sc, Co, Ga, Y, Sn, Sb, La, Tl, Th) was removed from the data set because concentrations were close to the limits of detection for many samples. Therefore, the remaining elements (Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, Ti, V, Mn, Zn, As, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ba) together with ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotope abundance ratio were considered for principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). Finally, LDA was able to classify correctly 100% of cider samples coming from different Spanish regions, France, England and Switzerland when considering Na, Mg, Al, K, Ca, Ti, V, Mn, Zn, As, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ba and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotope abundance ratio as original variables.     

Comparative instrumental multi-element analysis I: Comparison of ICP source mass spectrometry with ICP atomic emission spectrometry, ICP atomic fluorescence spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrometry for the analysis of natural waters from a granite region

Summary Multi-element analysis by ICP source mass spectrometry for practically matrix-free natural waters, coming from a granitic area and, therefore, rich in trace elements, has been compared with ICP-atomic emission, ICP atomic fluorescence and atomic absorption spectrometry. The following elements have been investigated and their concentrations are in the decreasing order: Ca, Si, Na, Mg, K, Al; Sr, Mn, Ba, Fe, Rb, Zn, B, U, Y, Li, La, Be, Cs, Co, Cr, V, Sb, Bi, Th, Cu, Cd, Ni, Se, Pb, As, Hg, Mo, Tl, Sn. The concentration ranges were between 10 ppm and <0.01 ppb.As a measure of agreement between the different methods under investigation, two criteria have been used (a) the relative variation coefficient VK (%) of the mean element concentration of an element, determined by different methods in all the 98 water samples and (b) the linear, logarithmic and Spearman rank correlation coefficients between ICP-MS and each of the other methods. Detection limits are given from literature for about 32 elements using different methods.The elements Ca, Na, Mg, K, Mn, Sr, Zn, Fe, Li, Cu have been determined with ICP-MS, ICP-AES and AAS; Al, Ba with ICP-MS and ICP-AES; Si only with ICP-AES, whereas B, Be, Bi, Co, Cr, Cs, Hg, La, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sn, Th, Tl, U, V, Y only with ICP-MS. In all 34 of the investigated 36 elements could be analysed by ICP-MS, 14 (from about 20 possible) by AAS, 13 by ICP-AES and 12 by ICP-AFS.The agreement between ICP-MS and ICP-AES as well as between ICP-MS and AAS in most cases is remarkably good according to (a). VK (%) for each element in 98 water samples is in the range from ±2.6 to 10% for Na, Mg, Ca, K, Fe, Sr, Ba, Cu, Li (increasing order). Cd and Zn have unexpectedly higher values (±17.3 and ±20.5%); Cd concentrations are, however, near the detection limit.Comparing the different methods on the basis of correlation coefficients according to (b), gives for the Spearman rank correlation coefficient over the whole range of concentrations, respectively for ICP-MS/ICP-AES, AAS, ICP-AFS in case of Ca: 0.998; 0.984; 0.899; Na: 0.993; 0.991; 0.978; Mg: 0.997; 0.993; 0.959; K: 0.986; 0.942; 0.677; Al: 0.987; -; -; Fe: 0.864; 0.974; 0.701; Mn: 0.989; 0.990; 0.198; Sr: 0.988; 0.992; -; Zn: 0.894; 0.819; 0.300; Cu: -; 0.977; 0.202; Li: -; 0.907; 0.586.It is evident from these trace element concentrations as well as the electrical conductivities, that only about three fourths of the investigated samples are typical granitic waters and the remaining ones are associated with different geological background. The samples have been mainly radon waters with more than 18 nCi/l of Rn-222.

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Vergleichende Instrumentelle Multielementanalyse I: Vergleich von ICP-Massenspektrometrie mit ICP-Atomemissionsspektrometrie, ICP-Atomfluorescenzspektrometrie und Atomabsorptionsspektrometrie zur Analyse natürlicher Wässer aus einem Granitgebiet

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6th Contribution to the principles of trace analysis of elements and radionuclides

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Dedicated to Professor Dr. H. Kelker, Frankfurt, on the occasion of his 65th birthday     

Trace Elements in Pleurotus Ostreatus,P. Eryngii,and P. Nebrodensis Mushrooms Cultivated on Various Agricultural By-Products

Abstract

Mushrooms are efficient accumulators of essential and toxic elements. Although oyster (Pleurotus spp.) mushrooms are widely commercialized and consumed, few data exist regarding trace elements content and bioaccumulation in cultivated P. ostreatus and P. eryngii, while no data are available for P. nebrodensis. The contents of Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, V, and Zn were monitored using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and atomic emission spectrometry (AES) in P. ostreatus, P. eryngii, and P. nebrodensis mushrooms and their cultivation substrates that include wheat straw (WHS), grape marc (GMC), olive leaves (OLV), and two-phase olive mill wastes (OMW), separately or in mixtures. Bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) less than 0.3 were obtained for Al, Ba, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, and V; BAFs exceeding 1 for K?>?Zn?>?Cd?>?Cr?>?Rb?>?As, while the BAFs for Na were less 0.7. Mushrooms grown on OLV and OMW presented lower BAFs than those grown on WHS and GMC for all elements except for K, Cd, and Cu. P. ostreatus was an effective accumulator for Cr, Fe, and Zn; P. eryngii for Al, Cs, Ni, and V; and P. nebrodensis for As and Cd. The estimated daily intakes (μg kg^?1 body weight) from mushroom consumption were less than 0.010 for As, Cd, Co, Cs, Pb, and V, 0.010–0.10 for Ba, Cr, Ni, and Sr, 0.10–5.0 for Al, Cu, Fe, Mn, Rb, and Zn, 65–83 for Na, and 858–1030 for K. Overall, the mushrooms studied provide significant amounts of K, adequate amounts of Mn and Zn and low amounts of Na and toxic elements.     

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry for Sequential Determination of Trace Metals in Rain and River Waters Using Electrothermal Vaporization

Abstract

The sequential determination of 14 trace metals, Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Sb and Pb, in rain and river water samples has been investigated using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) with a graphite rod electrothermal vaporizer (ETV) in the presence of the mixed modifier of palladium nitrate and magnesium nitrate. The sensitivity enhancements due to the presence of the modifier were observed for all analyte elements. Detection limits as high as 0.52, 0.13, 0.89, 0.35, 1.76, 0.5, 0.9, 0.5, 0.04, 1.03, 0.28, 0.07, 0.1 and 3.78 pg, respectively, for Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Sb and Pb have been achieved. For the determination of trace metals in both rain and river water samples by this method, the repeatibility of sample solution were very good, i.e. from 1% to 7% (as a coefficient variation) and the recoveries of elements were good enough, i.e. from 81% to 106%, by using a standard addition method. There was no difference between the results obtained by nebulizer ICP-MS and those obtained by this method, except for zinc and arsenic.     

Distribution of some major and trace elements in Danube Delta lacustrine sediments and soil

Sediment cores collected from lakes Mesteru and Furtuna (eastern part), Sontea channel and soil samples collected from Caraorman bar, all located in the Danube Delta, were analyzed for 42 elements (Ag, Al, As, Be, Na, Mg, P, S, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Br, Rb, Sr, Y, Mo, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ce, Hf, Hg, Tl. Pb, Bi, Th. U) by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), thick target proton induced X-ray emission (TT-PIXE) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The INAA and TTPIXE yielded total concentrations whereas the ICP-MS data reflected the fractions soluble in 14M HNO₃. The ICP-MS data exhibited surface enrichment relative to the lower part of the sediment core of Cu, Zn, As, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Hg, Tl, Pb, and Bi, most prominently by Cd and Hg. Their vertical distribution in the investigated cores generally reflected the pollution history of recent sediments in Danube delta, showing a steady increase until the end of the 1980s followed by a slow decrease after 1990. The vertical profiles of most remaining elements were characterized by a relatively uniform distribution along the cores. In some cases, the concentrations of As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni and Pb exceeded minimum thresholds of safety, as defined by the Romanian regulations. The elemental composition of the sediment below 20 cm depth (total concentrations) was similar to that of the upper continental crust (UCC) for most elements. Values distinctly higher than UCC were observed for As, Sb (factor ~5) and Cr, Ni, Cu (factor 2 to 3). The nitric acid soluble element concentrations in the soil samples in some cases showed increased values at the surface as compared to 30 cm depth, either due to air pollution or to the action of plants. In no case a large contribution to the topsoil from atmospheric deposition was evident, indicating that the surface contamination of the sediments was mainly by riverine transport. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Determination of trace elements in ambient aerosol samples

A microwave-assisted digestion procedure using HNO₃, HF, and H₂O₂ has been developed for analysis of elements in ambient particulate matter (PM). The samples are collected on cellulose filters and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The ICP-MS is calibrated with external standards, and recovery of analytes is tested with NIST SRM 1648 Urban Dust. This method has been used to quantify the airborne concentrations of a large number of elements, including Ag, As, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Se, Sb, Sr, Ti, Tl, V, and Zn. For the majority of these elements, recovery of the NIST SRM is within 15% of the certified values.     

The complementary use of radioanalytical methods and trace analysis methods for the characterisation of environmental IAEA reference materials

The IAEA laboratories have access to both nuclear analytical methods and conventional instrumental methods for trace analysis for the characterisation of its environmental and biological reference materials. A technical concept integrating the homogeneity data, the recommended test portion mass and the uncertainty on the trace element concentrations is explored using a combination of INAA, XRF, ICP-MS, ICP-AES, and AAS. The above approach is illustrated by selected examples of reference materials currently under evaluation for their trace element content. They include some or all of the following elements Al, As, Br, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Rb, Se, Sr, Th, U, Zn in environmental biomonitor organisms (lichen, algae) and air dust filters.     

Polarographic determination of cadmium, lead, nickel, thallium and uranium(VI) in isoquinoline formate

Summary The polarographic behaviour of Cd, Pb, Ni, Tl and U(VI) has been described in 0.1 M isoquinoline formate as base electrolyte. In all cases well defined reversible waves were obtained and determinations are possible in the presence of Mo, Co, Zn, Mn, Te, In, Se, Fe, Cr, V, Th, Zr, As, Sb, Ag, Hg and Cu.

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Polarographische Bestimmung von Cadmium, Blei, Nickel, Thallium und Uran(VI) in Isochinolinformiat

Zusammenfassung Das polarographische Verhalten von Cd, Pb, Ni, Th. und U(VI) in 0,1 M Isochinolinformiatlösung wird beschrieben, Bestimmungsmöglichkeiten werden aufgezeigt. In allen Fällen werden gut definierte reversible Stufen erhalten. Folgende Elemente stören nicht: Mo, Co, Zn, Mn, Te, In, Se, Fe, Cr, V, Th, Zr, As, Sb, Ag, Hg, Cu.

     

INAA of essential micronutrients in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Terminalia arjuna</Emphasis> bark powder: a versatile heart tonic

Five bark powder samples of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) having different origins including two commercial brands were analyzed for 8 minor (Al, Na, K, Mg, Ca, P, Cl, Fe) and 19 trace (As, Ba, Br, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Eu, Hg, La, Mn, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Sr, Th, V, Zn) elements by INAA. Also concentrations of Ni, Cd and Pb were determined by AAS and of Sn by ICP-MS. Arjuna bark powder is enriched in Ca (34.1 ± 10.6 mg/g), Mg (5.41 ± 1.93 mg/g), K (5.87 ± 2.18 mg/g), Cl (4.0 ± 2.2 mg/g) and Fe (2.99 ± 1.77 mg/g) with significant amounts of Cr (6.9 ± 4.0 μg/g), Mn (75.5 ± 24.8 μg/g), Sr (114 ± 69 μg/g) and Zn (11.9 ± 8.9 μg/g). Several toxic elements such as As (78.6 ± 19.9 ng/g), Cd (5.60 ± 9.04 μg/g), Hg (69 ± 41 ng/g) and Pb (5.0 ± 3.5 μg/g) were also detected.     

Development of multi-elemental method for quality control of parenteral component solutions using ICP-MS

An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method for elemental impurities determination in components used for parenteral nutrition solutions is proposed. Solutions of amino acids (10% m/v), glucose (50% m/v) and lipids (20% m/v) were analyzed. Arsenic, Cd, Cu, Pb and Mo were determined by ICP-MS operated at standard mode, whilst pneumatic nebulization was used for introducing the sample solution into the ICP. Mercury was determined using cold vapor generation (CVG) coupled to ICP-MS. Chromium, Mn, Ni and V were determined by means of dynamic reaction cell-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (DRC-ICP-MS), while ammonia was used as reaction gas. The operational conditions of each technique were optimized in order to achieve better sensitivity, precision and accuracy. The influence of the sample matrix, mainly carbon, on all investigated elements was evaluated. The use of DRC was effective to reduce interferences on Cr, Mn, Ni and V determination. The other investigated elements (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Mo and Hg) were determined directly in the samples, which were properly diluted. Results obtained were in good agreement (between 96 and 103%) with certified values (certified reference materials of water were analyzed), at the same time as the relative standard deviation was lower than 5%. Sample throughput was relatively high (up to 30 samples of components used for parenteral nutrition solution could be analyzed per hour). In this way, the proposed method can be recommended for routine analysis.     

Summary of preparation and homogeneity characterization of ten agricultural food reference materials for elemental composition

Summary Preparation and development has been completed of ten agricultural/food reference materials (RMs): bovine muscle powder, corn starch, hard red spring wheat flour, soft winter wheat flour, whole milk powder, wheat gluten, corn bran, durum wheat flour, whole egg powder and microcrystalline cellulose. Homogeneity tests for 14 elements, Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn were performed by the initiating laboratories by application of precise and reliable analytical methods based on flame atomic absorption spectrometry and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. An extensive set of analytical results obtained from the interlaboratory cooperative characterization campaign was assessed to provide homogeneity estimates for other elements. Estimates of homogeneity from within-laboratory precision indicated that all materials exhibited acceptable homogeneity for virtually all 29 elements (Al, As, B, Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, I, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, N, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Se, Sr, V, Zn) for which best estimate concentration values are available. Two thirds of all homogeneity coefficients of variation were below 5%.     

离子交换色谱-电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定高纯钛中痕量杂质元素

建立了离子交换色谱-电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)测定高纯钛中Mg、Cr、Fe、V、Mn、Co、Ni、Cu、Zn、Sr、Cd、Ba、Tl、Pb等痕量杂质元素分析方法,并对ICP-MS工作参数及条件进行了优化和选择.高纯钛用HF和HNO3溶解后进入离子色谱的阳离子交换柱,经HF(3+97)淋洗后,用HNO3洗脱,洗脱下来的溶液进入电感耦合等离子体质谱检测.方法的检出限在0.00099～0.85 μg/L之间,测定下限为0.0033～2.8 μg/L,各元素的回收率在90%～110%之间.利用本方法对纯度＞99.99%高纯钛样品的杂质元素进行分析,结果表明,其精密度和准确度均满足痕量分析的要求.     

Pure graphite as a reference material for the determination of trace elements — an interlaboratory collaborative study

Seven synthetic graphite powders of different grade of purity were analyzed by means of INAA, WDXRF, EDXRF, DC-OES directly and using ICP-MS, ICP-OES, ETAAS and FAAS in combination with various sample preparation techniques. On the basis of a statistical evaluation of the results obtained, for the trace elements Al, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn and Ni, reference values were established and, for the elements As, Co, Mg, Mo, Pb, Sb, Si, Sr, Ti, V, Zn and Zr, informative values are given. The analyzed reference materials are commercially available.     

Microwave digestion-ICP-MS for elemental analysis in ambient airborne fine particulate matter: rare earth elements and validation using a filter borne fine particle certified reference material

NIST standard reference material SRM 2783 was employed to validate a high temperature, high pressure, two-stage microwave assisted acid digestion procedure using HNO₃, HF and H₃BO₃ developed for the analysis of trace elements (including rare earths) in atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) prior to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). This method quantitatively solubilized Na, Mg, Al, K, Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sb, Cd, Cs, Ba, Pb, Th, U and several rare earth elements (REEs) (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Gd, Dy, Er, Sm and Eu) from SRM 1648 and SRM 2783. A small amount of HF in the first stage was required to dissolve silicates necessitating the corresponding addition of H₃BO₃ in second stage to dissolve fluoride precipitates of Mg, La, Ce and Th. The optimized microwave dissolution—ICP-MS method detected Na, Mg, Al, K, Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Cd, Mo, Sb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Pb, Th and U at trace to ultra-trace levels in ambient airborne fine particles from three sites in North Carolina. La to light lanthanide signature ratios suggested that soil and motor vehicles are the dominant REE sources in SRM 2783 and PM_2.5 samples collected during this study.     

Determination of trace elements by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry of biomass and fuel oil reference materials using milligram sample sizes

Most of the analytical techniques used to quantify elements associated with solid samples suffer from high detection limits and cannot be used for trace elements in biomass samples, particularly when only 20 mg are available for analysis. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) can achieve detection limits of parts-per-trillion with liquid sample introduction by solution nebulisation. This technique was therefore tested with two standard biomass reference materials: oriental tobacco leaves and cabbage leaves. Two preparations successfully used on coal standards were used to digest the solid samples: a total digestion method (wet ashing digestion) and a partial leaching (microwave extraction). The concentrations of up to seventeen elements (As, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ga, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, V and Zn) were measured after the two preparations. The accuracy and sensitivity of the measurements improved when the dilution factor decreased from 5000 to 1000 and to 500. Since the proportion of mineral matter in biomass samples is small (5%), the microwave digestion extracted elements that are generally not completely extracted from coal samples (e.g. Sb). However, some trace element concentrations were below the limit of quantification after microwave extraction, even with a reduced dilution factor (As, Se and Mo) and could not be quantified. A fuel oil was also digested. The trace element concentrations were very low (between 28 and 0.1 microgram g(-1)) but acceptable results were obtained by applying a dilution factor of 100. Only six elements in the fuel oil (As, Ba, Co, Ni, Se and V) had certified or indicated values. Factors affecting the accuracy and sensitivity of the analyses are discussed. The reproducibility of analysis of the tobacco leaf standard was checked over a period of nine months by both digestion methods. The wet ashing method gave acceptable reproducibility for Ba, Cd, Co, Cu, Ga, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, V and Zn but poor precision for Cr, Se and Sn and showed evidence of residual chloride interference for As. The microwave extraction gave good reproducibility for As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni and Zn but poor precision for Se and low recoveries for Ga, Mn, Sn and V. In spite of the small quantities of material analysed, it proved possible to determine the trace elements at levels down to 0.1 microgram g(-1) in the reference materials.     

伊敏褐煤中微量元素的地球化学特征及其无机-有机亲和性分析

采用脱矿物质、提取腐殖酸等方法结合ICP-MS对伊敏15_上、16_下煤中的32种微量元素的含量及其赋存特征进行了分析。与地壳克拉克值及中国侏罗-白垩纪煤和世界褐煤中微量元素含量相比,伊敏褐煤中微量元素没有明显富集。脱矿物质处理后,Ni明显富集,As略比原煤高,其他微量元素都低于原煤。原煤提取腐殖酸和脱矿物煤提取腐殖酸中Ni、Mo、Cd、Sn、W明显富集,这表明Ni、Mo、Cd、Sn、W和腐殖酸形成了稳定的有机态化合物。原煤提取腐殖酸残煤和脱矿物煤提取腐殖酸残煤中V、Ni、As富集,表明V、Ni、As与煤的大分子结构形成了稳定的有机态化合物。根据微量元素和灰分的相关性系数,把微量元素分为以下几类:无机富集元素Cr、U;亲无机元素Cu、Cd、In、Sn、Ga、Y、Zr、Hf、Bi、Th;偏无机元素Be、Sc、Rb、Sr、Nb、Cs、Ta、Pb;偏有机元素V、As、Tl、Ba、Se;亲有机元素Li、Co、W;有机富集元素Ni、Zn、Mo、Sb。